Correspondent
IMPHAL, Oct 23 (NPN): Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam on Friday alleged that suspected cadres of a faction of the Kuki National Front (KNF), a signatory to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, were behind the recent armed assault that killed three Meitei villagers.
The minister also confirmed that the tripartite SoO agreement has not yet been extended since it expired in the first week of September. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Imphal West district, Konthoujam said operations were underway to apprehend other perpetrators involved in the killing of the three Meitei villagers along the Imphal East-Kangpokpi border.
He said that, besides the arrest of three KNF cadres, including two who allegedly admitted their involvement in the attack, a designated SoO camp known as Sinai Camp was also raided.
“Interrogation of the three apprehended cadres is underway. We will know more details about the militants’ involvement in the case in one or two days,” he said.
According to police findings, the three arrested individuals were cadres of the KNF, although the specific faction to which they belonged has yet to be confirmed. The investigation is ongoing, he added.
During the raid, the Home Minister said that most cadres belonging to militant groups under the SoO arrangement were absent from the camp. Eighteen individuals were found staying there, but only one was identified as a genuine cadre of a group covered under the SoO agreement.
The police detained the remaining 17 individuals and will formally arrest them for further investigation to determine their affiliations, he said.
Acknowledging concerns over the violation of SoO ground rules, the minister said, “It must be noted that the SoO agreement has not been extended since it expired in the first week of September.” “As the SoO agreement has not been extended, there is no question of violation of the ground rules,” he added. The Suspension of Operations agreement is a tripartite pact involving the Centre, the Manipur government, and Kuki militant groups operating under the umbrella organisations United People’s Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO).
Regarding the possible reasons for the non-extension of the agreement, Konthoujam said the government understood public sentiment and hoped the Centre would act in accordance with the expectations of the people.
It may be noted that various Meitei and Naga-based civil society organisations (CSOs) have been urging the government to abrogate the SoO agreement with Kuki militant groups, alleging that cadres from these groups have been directly involved in attacks on civilians during the ongoing violence. The conflict, which initially involved Meitei and Kuki communities, has since expanded to include tensions between Nagas and Kukis.
Asserting that security forces would continue to conduct search operations whenever necessary, the minister said such actions would not be limited to Kuki armed groups under the SoO arrangement.
“If necessary, we will conduct similar operations at camps of Meitei and Naga outfits operating under ceasefire agreements,” he said. “Impartial measures will be taken to maintain law and order irrespective of community,” he added, stressing that the government was doing its utmost to restore normalcy through peaceful means.
Explaining the challenges faced by security forces, particularly in hill areas, Konthoujam pointed to difficult geographical conditions, noting that narrow roads and limited access routes often hamper the movement of forces.
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