IMPHAL: Thousands of people from Meitei and Naga communities took to the streets in Manipur on Saturday, October 31, demanding an end to what they described as the Government of India’s “proxy war” in the state and the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki-Zo militant groups.
The rally was organised by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) along with several Naga civil society organisations, including the Joint Tribe Council Manipur, Foothills Naga Coordination Committee, Naga Humanitarian Aids Committee Manipur, Naga Peoples’ Union, Imphal, and Inpui Naga Union.
The procession began at Tiddim Ground in Kwakeithel, Imphal West, and moved along Tiddim Road. Participants carried placards demanding the scrapping of the SoO agreement, the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur, protection of indigenous communities and the resettlement of all internally displaced persons (IDPs). They also called for an update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), using 1951 as the base year.
COCOMI also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh, accusing the state government of failing to protect the lives and properties of indigenous people. The United Naga Council endorsed the rally, while the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur and other Naga bodies held simultaneous sit-in protests at district headquarters. A separate rally was also reported in Chandel district.
The mobilisation came amid renewed tension following the October 19 ambush in Sunurok hills, in which three Meitei men were killed and three others injured while collecting firewood. The killings had triggered protests and demands for stronger security measures.
The SoO agreement, signed in 2008 between the Centre, the Manipur government and Kuki militant groups, has become a major point of contention. The agreement expired on September 4 without renewal, and security forces have since taken control of one designated camp, with plans to audit other camps.
Reports differed on the Imphal procession’s final movement. While one account said it reached THAU Ground for a public meeting, PTI reported that police barricades at Keisampat prevented the march from proceeding further.
With inputs from media reports