Rally held to stop ethnic conflict in Manipur and cancel SoO agreement

Thousands of people held a massive rally in Manipur's Ukhrul district on Thursday with various demands to end the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state. This demonstration, known as the 'People's Rally', saw participation from many people, including women and the elderly. According to a report by The Hindu, through this rally, people demanded the cancellation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen from her post. Nemcha Kipgen belongs to the Kuki community.

During this demonstration, people chanted slogans with various placards. The placards bore messages such as 'Cancel SoO agreement, declare Kuki armed groups terrorists' and 'Remove Nemcha Kipgen from the post of Deputy Chief Minister'. Protesters also chanted slogans against Kuki armed groups. Additionally, demands were raised for the resolution of the ongoing political crisis in Manipur, the removal of Assam Rifles from Naga-dominated areas, and the stopping of the ongoing proxy war in the state.

This rally was organised under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and Tangkhul Frontal organisations. Besides Ukhrul, a similar rally was also held in the nearby Kamjong district.

It is noteworthy that since ethnic clashes between the Kuki and Naga communities began in February this year, more than 50 people have died and dozens of houses have been burnt in Tengnoupal, Noney, Kamjong, Ukhrul, and Kangpokpi districts. Earlier, ethnic violence also occurred in the state between the Meiteis of Imphal Valley and the Kukis of the hill areas, in which more than 300 people lost their lives, 49 people went missing, and thousands were rendered homeless.

The SoO agreement is a tripartite agreement between the Central Government, the Manipur Government, and dozens of Kuki and Zomi armed groups.