Political Parties demand Abrogation of SoO with Kuki-Zo Militants; CM Biren reveals Art 355 clamped in Manipur
POLITICS
Imphal: In a new twist to the ongoing conflict gripping the state, 10 political parties, including INC, JD(U), AAP, CPI, CPI (M), Forward Bloc, NCP, RSP, Shiv Sena (UBT), and AITC, have demanded the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki-Zo militants at the all-political parties meeting, chaired by Manipur Chief Minister at his secretariat on Sunday.
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghachandra Singh, a senior MLA, revealed that Chief Minister N Biren Singh disclosed the imposition of Article 355 of the Indian Constitution during the all-party meeting.
The State as well as the Central government have been denying the imposition of Article 355 in Manipur so far. This is despite the fact that the ministry of Home Affairs had on May 30 2023, following the eruption of the unprecedented ethnic strife had appointed Kuldiep Singh, former CROF chief as the security advisor and has taken over the united command from the chief minister.
Article 355 grants the Union government the duty to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbance.
Meghachandra expressed concern over the delayed revelation, stating it reflects the insincerity of both the Centre and the state government.
During the meeting, political party representatives urged the Chief Minister to seek an appointment for an all-party delegation, led by him, to meet with Prime Minister Modi and address the growing ethnic strife in the state.