Why in news? Manipur government decided to withdraw from the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki National Army (KNA) and Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) )

Highlights:

• The reason for withdrawal of agreement mainly as two hill-based tribal militant groups(Kuki National Army (KNA) and Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) )influencing agitation among forest encroachers.

What is the Suspension of Operations pact?

• It is a ceasefire agreement between government of India with Kuki National Organization (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF)
• The SoO pact was signed on 2008, with the primary objective of initiating political dialogue.
• The Kuki outfits agreed for ‘Kukiland territorial council’, that would have financial and administrative powers independent of the Manipur Assembly and government.

What are the terms of the SoO pact?

• While the period of the Suspension of Operation agreement is one year, it is extendable according to the progress of its implementation.
• To oversee the effective implementation of the SoO pact, a committee called the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG), with representatives from all the signatories, has been formed.
• The important terms under the pact are that security forces, including state and central forces, are not to launch any operations, nor can the underground groups.
• The signatories of UPF and KNO shall abide by the Constitution of India, the laws of the land and the territorial integrity of Manipur.
• Both the groups are prohibited from committing all kinds of atrocities, extortion, among others.
• The militant cadres are to be confined in designated camps identified by the Government.
• Arms are deposited in a safe room under a double-locking system. The groups are given arms only to guard their camps and protect their leaders.
• As a rehabilitation package, the UG cadres living in the designated camps are given a monthly stipend of Rs 5000. Financial assistance is also being provided to maintain the designated camps.