Centre to initiate dialogue with SoO groups from next month

Centre to initiate dialogue with SoO groups from next month

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 27

Chief minister, N. Biren Singh today informed the Manipur Legislative Assembly that the state government and Centre will start dialogue with Kuki militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement and find a solution to the armed movement within a stipulated time.

Biren was responding to queries raised by the Opposition bench in connection with demand No. 7 police on the seventh day of the ongoing budget session.

The Opposition MLAs while moving their cut motions alleged that the state government has failed to control cadres under SoO groups besides other illegal activities that violate ground rules.

Biren further divulged that to initiate the dialogue the government has appointed retired IB director, Debendra Sharma, as interlocutor.

The dialogue with Kuki militant under the two constituent group, UPF and KNO, was earlier proposed to be held on August 4 but owing to some technical shortcomings the talks has been deferred and likely to begin by August 10, said Biren.

He further maintained that the government will make sure that the dialogue does not prolong and try its best to find a solution within a year or two.

“The people of Manipur particularly in hill districts have enough of the activities of militants due to prolonged extension of SoO or cease-fire. So we will make sure that a solution to the problem is brought at the earliest”, he assured.

Clarifying on allegation of failure to curb extortion along the National Highways, the chief minister maintained that the army and police are under strong instruction to keep strict vigil on militant activities.

As a result, altogether 33 cadres of NSCN have been arrested for extortion since the BJP led government came to power. Similarly, altogether 52 cadres of different groups under the SoO were also reportedly arrested for violation of ground rules. Of the total arrested SoO cadres 12 KNA cadres was reportedly arrested from Churachandpur for creating chaos and 26 cadres of UKLF along with arms during a raid in their camps.

Biren further informed the House that the government will not tolerate violation of ground rules by any militant groups under SoO or cease fire and befitting action will be taken according to the law.

With regards to setting up of National Highway Protection Force (NHPF), he revealed that the Centre has given nod for establishment of four IRB battalions rather than the desired NHPF on technical grounds.

The recruitment for the IRB will begin once the vacant post in for the state forces which is 7411 is filled, he said.

According to Biren, the total sanctioned posts for the state forces including IRB are 30,819 out of which 23,398 already filled leaving 7,411 vacant. The process for filing up of the vacancies has already been started by the previous government, said the chief minister.

To curb other chronic problems vexing the department like mob justice, slow investigation etc, he said the present government has started taking initiative in various capacities considering the priorities of the public.

Setting of community policing, separate fast track court for women and children, separate traffic wing etc are some of the initiative, he said adding that strong instruction has been given to police not to jeopardize any case due to failure to file charge-sheet in time, he said.

While clarifying on the demands of the agitating home guards, he said that the government is presently not in the position to fulfil the demands in toto due to financial constraints.

If the demand of the home guards is to be made as per the order of the Supreme Court there will be huge financial involvement, he said. Nevertheless, he assured the House that the government will see what can be done to ease the grievances to some extent.

The chief minister further reiterated that there is no pre-condition agenda on the tripartite talks to be held between the state, Centre and UNC.

Centre to initiate dialogue with SoO groups from next month

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 27

Chief minister, N. Biren Singh today informed the Manipur Legislative Assembly that the state government and Centre will start dialogue with Kuki militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement and find a solution to the armed movement within a stipulated time.

Biren was responding to queries raised by the Opposition bench in connection with demand No. 7 police on the seventh day of the ongoing budget session.

The Opposition MLAs while moving their cut motions alleged that the state government has failed to control cadres under SoO groups besides other illegal activities that violate ground rules.

Biren further divulged that to initiate the dialogue the government has appointed retired IB director, Debendra Sharma, as interlocutor.

The dialogue with Kuki militant under the two constituent group, UPF and KNO, was earlier proposed to be held on August 4 but owing to some technical shortcomings the talks has been deferred and likely to begin by August 10, said Biren.

He further maintained that the government will make sure that the dialogue does not prolong and try its best to find a solution within a year or two.

“The people of Manipur particularly in hill districts have enough of the activities of militants due to prolonged extension of SoO or cease-fire. So we will make sure that a solution to the problem is brought at the earliest”, he assured.

Clarifying on allegation of failure to curb extortion along the National Highways, the chief minister maintained that the army and police are under strong instruction to keep strict vigil on militant activities.

As a result, altogether 33 cadres of NSCN have been arrested for extortion since the BJP led government came to power. Similarly, altogether 52 cadres of different groups under the SoO were also reportedly arrested for violation of ground rules. Of the total arrested SoO cadres 12 KNA cadres was reportedly arrested from Churachandpur for creating chaos and 26 cadres of UKLF along with arms during a raid in their camps.

Biren further informed the House that the government will not tolerate violation of ground rules by any militant groups under SoO or cease fire and befitting action will be taken according to the law.

With regards to setting up of National Highway Protection Force (NHPF), he revealed that the Centre has given nod for establishment of four IRB battalions rather than the desired NHPF on technical grounds.

The recruitment for the IRB will begin once the vacant post in for the state forces which is 7411 is filled, he said.

According to Biren, the total sanctioned posts for the state forces including IRB are 30,819 out of which 23,398 already filled leaving 7,411 vacant. The process for filing up of the vacancies has already been started by the previous government, said the chief minister.

To curb other chronic problems vexing the department like mob justice, slow investigation etc, he said the present government has started taking initiative in various capacities considering the priorities of the public.

Setting of community policing, separate fast track court for women and children, separate traffic wing etc are some of the initiative, he said adding that strong instruction has been given to police not to jeopardize any case due to failure to file charge-sheet in time, he said.

While clarifying on the demands of the agitating home guards, he said that the government is presently not in the position to fulfil the demands in toto due to financial constraints.

If the demand of the home guards is to be made as per the order of the Supreme Court there will be huge financial involvement, he said. Nevertheless, he assured the House that the government will see what can be done to ease the grievances to some extent.

The chief minister further reiterated that there is no pre-condition agenda on the tripartite talks to be held between the state, Centre and UNC.

Read more / Original news source: http://www.ifp.co.in/item/2288-centre-to-initiate-dialogue-with-soo-groups-from-next-month