CM Biren says center assures execution of SoO pact with Kukis

Imphal: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured that the Center will ensure the implementation of the Cessation of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups in the hilly areas of Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said.

According to the agreement, rebel groups are to stay in designated camps with weapons behind lock and key.
Chief Minister Singh on Monday alleged that the Kuki rebel organizations violated the basic tenets of the SoO agreement and fueled the violence.

The Home Minister said that the Center would provide maximum support to enforce the land laws applicable to SoO groups and asked me to convince the people of the Valley to maintain peace,” The Hindu told Manipur. said with reference to the Chief Minister.
He said that out of 10 hill districts, only three districts of Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal and Churachandpur and three valley districts have reported violence.

According to The Hindu, however, a defense source said that SoO camps were checked regularly, and all but two weapons were found intact during inspections in the last two months.
Ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur, which first erupted on May 3, has claimed at least 131 lives and displaced nearly 60,000 people.

While the Army is deployed in the hills, the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) is deployed in the buffer zone bordering the hills and the valley and the Manipur Police Commandos are deployed in the valley.