Kuki groups are fighting the government for an independent Kuki homeland in Manipur. The Kuki insurgency began in the 1990s after ethnic conflict with the Nagas.
CM N Biren Singh holding a meeting in Manipur. (file photo)
BJP ruled Manipur Government suspends operations with tribal militant organizations (SOO) The agreement has been cancelled. The government argues that the militant groups were inciting the forest cultivators against the government. The government also claims that extremist groups are behind the recent protest rally against the government. Kuki National Army (KNA) and the Jomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) had a hand.
The special thing is that immediately after the withdrawal of the SOO agreement, Manipur Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar reached New Delhi with a team of officers and discussed with Home Minister Amit Shah the effect of the withdrawal of the SOO. The special thing is that before the elections in Manipur, Home Minister Amit Shah himself had promised the Kuki groups that if the BJP government is formed then the problem will be solved from the root. However, this step of the Manipur government has now become a new question on the system.
what is cookie rebellion
The Naga insurgency is the longest running insurgency in the country, similar to the Kuki group fighting the government for an independent Kuki homeland in Manipur. The Kuki insurgency began in the 1990s after ethnic conflict with the Nagas. After this the enmity between both the tribes increased. The conflict between the two tribes was over a particular area, Nagalim, which the Kukis claim to be their homeland, the Nagas consider it their homeland. In 1993, 115 Kuki men, women and children are believed to have been executed by the NSCN-IM in Tagnopal. This day is still celebrated as Cookie Black Day.
What was in the SOO agreement?
There are 30 Kuki insurgent groups in Manipur, out of which 25 had signed SOO agreement with the Government of India and the Government of Manipur agreeing to tripartite talks. Of these, 17 groups were linked to the Kuki National Organization and eight to the United People’s Front. The agreement was initiated in 2008. Under this, the Kuki organizations demanding a separate state came together under the Kukiland Territorial Council, which got independent financial and administrative rights in the Manipur Legislative Assembly and government.
What were the terms of the SOO agreement
- The most important condition of the SOO agreement was that the state or central security forces would not start any operation against the insurgent groups, nor would the insurgent groups do so.
- The signatories of UPF and KNO will abide by the Constitution of India, the laws of the country and the territorial integrity of Manipur. He will give up all forms of torture, extortion.
- The militant cadres will be confined in camps designated by the government. The weapons are stored in a safe room under double locking system. The groups are given arms only for the protection of their camps and their leaders.
- The people living in the camps are given a monthly allowance of Rs 5000 as a rehabilitation package and assistance is also given to maintain the camps.
- To oversee the effective implementation of the SoO agreement, a committee called Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) has also been constituted.
order question
Ahead of the 2022 elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised the Kuki groups that the problem would end once and for all if the BJP came to power. After this, the Kuki groups officially announced their support to the BJP. Now the cancellation of this agreement by N. Biren government of Manipur has raised questions on this arrangement.
