Meiteis and Nagas hold rally in Imphal to demand SoO abrogation
Thousands of protesters in Manipur demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister and the scrapping of the truce pact with militant groups.
Thousands of people from the Meitei and Naga communities held a large rally in Imphal on Saturday to demand the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups. Organised by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and endorsed by the United Naga Council (UNC), the demonstration moved from Tiddim Ground to Thau Ground in Imphal West district.
According to reports from The Indian Express, The Hindu and The New Indian Express, the rally sought lasting peace, justice for victims, and the safe resettlement of displaced persons. Protesters also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh due to continued violence in the state.
COCOMI convenor Y Dhiren stated that the rally was a response to the government's failure to protect the lives and properties of indigenous people. Naga representative Achung Gangmei alleged that the Manipur government was using Kuki militants against other communities and called for the withdrawal of the Assam Rifles.
The UNC also organised protest rallies in Naga-dominated hill districts, including Senapati and Chandel. UNC president N G Lorho said Nagas had united to defend their ancestral land.
In response to the protest call, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed, and public transport was suspended. Security forces implemented traffic diversions and barricaded roads near the Chief Minister's bungalow and Raj Bhavan as a precaution.