India state legislators adopt resolution in response to ongoing violence in Manipur News
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India state legislators adopt resolution in response to ongoing violence in Manipur

The legislators of the Manipur Legislative Assembly of India on Sunday unanimously adopted several resolutions during the 12th Legislative Assembly session in Imphal, addressing the widespread violence in the state of Manipur. The resolution called for an immediate cessation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) with armed militants accused of causing harm to civilians and urged for the replacement of the Assam Rifles.

The resolution demanded that SoO “be abrogated immediately.” Further, the SoO agreements should not be extended beyond their expiration date of February 29, 2024. The tripartite SoO pact was signed with Kuki insurgent groups of Manipur, the government of India and Manipur in 2008 to initiate a political dialogue with them. While the span of the pact is one year, however, it can be extended as needed. The signatories, the United People’s Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organization (KNO) agreed to respect the Constitution of India and the national sovereignty in exchange for financial assistance and the prohibition on security forces (state and central) from launching operations on the insurgent groups during the SoO period.

The resolution urged for “complete disarmament of all illegal arms” at the earliest. It also asked for a cessation of armed attacks by the security forces of Myanmar on India to protect the “prestige” of the nation. Manipur, a hilly state in India bordering Myanmar, reportedly experienced an ambush in January 2024 carried out by Myanmar armed militants. This incident has contributed to the already volatile situation in the state.

Assam Rifles, a central armed police force, has been alleged to be “unresponsive and mute spectators” to the violence. The resolution demanded their accountability and replacement with forces who would ensure the security of the unarmed civilians. Additionally, the resolution stated that if India’s government does not act according to the demands, the legislators will adopt measures “in consultation with the public.”

Manipur is plagued with ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities, who have historically fought over their claims of homeland. In July 2023, a video depicting a group of men brutally assaulting and publicly humiliating two women from the Kuki-Zo tribe surfaced, intensifying the violence to unprecedented levels.

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