Manipur: Naga Groups Take To Streets, Demand SoO Pact Scrapping & Nemcha Kipgen's Removal

Imphal, Manipur - Hundreds gathered in Ukhrul district's main town on Thursday, protesting ethnic unrest in the state and demanding the repeal of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with militant groups and the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen. The protestors, comprising women and the elderly, carried signs demanding the SoO agreement's abolition, labeling Kuki militants as terrorists, and calling for Kipgen's dismissal. Kipgen hails from the Kuki community.

The SoO pact, a trilateral agreement between the Centre, Manipur government, and numerous Kuki and Zomi militant factions, is at the heart of the demonstrators' grievances. They also called for resolving the political crisis, evacuating Assam Rifles from Naga-populated regions, and halting the 'proxy war' in Manipur.

Additional demands included resolving the political crisis in Manipur, removing Assam Rifles from Naga-dominated areas, and halting the 'proxy war' in the region. The rally, organized by Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and Tangkhul front organizations under the United Naga Council (UNC), echoed similar protests in Kamjong district.

Since February, ethnic clashes between Kuki and Naga communities have claimed over 50 lives and left numerous houses in ruins across Tamenglong, Noney, Kamjong, Ukhrul, and Kangpokpi districts. The state previously witnessed inter-community violence between Imphal Valley's Meiteis and hill Kukis, resulting in over 300 deaths, 49 unaccounted for, and thousands rendered homeless.