Imphal: In a strongly worded appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, T. Michael Lamjathang Haokip, the State Spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Manipur Pradesh, has called for the immediate termination of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF). The formal letter, dated June 14, 2025, warns that any extension of the pact could further destabilise Manipur, a state currently under President’s Rule since February 2025 following the collapse of its elected government.
Manipur continues to reel from the ethnic violence that first erupted on May 3, 2023, leading to widespread public discontent and deep-seated distrust. Michael’s appeal specifically highlights growing apprehension fueled by recent media reports suggesting that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) might be contemplating an extension of the SoO agreement. Such a move, he cautions, could be perceived as an act of appeasement towards armed groups allegedly linked to the ongoing violence, thereby jeopardising Manipur’s territorial integrity and constitutional identity, particularly in the volatile Imphal valley.
Drawing a stark parallel to the 2001 Great June Uprising, which was triggered by the extension of the Indo-Naga ceasefire “without territorial limits,” Michael recalled the tragic loss of 18 young lives. This sombre event, commemorated annually on June 18 as a symbol of resistance, looms large as the 24th anniversary approaches. He cautioned that any decision to extend the SoO agreement around this sensitive date could ignite mass unrest on a scale akin to 2001. Civil society groups, student unions, and various community organisations have already voiced vehement opposition to any unilateral decision made under President’s Rule.
The BJP Spokesperson passionately advocated for the immediate abrogation of the SoO agreement, asserting that the MHA has demonstrably failed to enforce its stipulated ground rules, rendering the pact ineffective. “Continuing to patronise insurgent groups risks creating man-made volcanoes in Manipur’s hills,” he wrote, urging the government to treat these entities as militants rather than partners in peace. He further noted that SoO groups, whose operations are reportedly controlled by the Ministry of Defence through the Army and Assam Rifles, have contributed significantly to the loss of life and property, further eroding public trust in the administration.
Michael’s appeal unequivocally urged the termination of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement between the Government of India, the Government of Manipur, and UPF/KNO to uphold principles of fairness, justice, and the rule of law. He stressed that the Government of India’s apparent inability to enforce the agreed-upon ground rules renders any further extensions utterly futile, arguing that merely restricting designated camps fails to address the fundamental issues and merely shifts accountability.
Should immediate termination prove unfeasible, Michael proposed deferring any decision on the SoO until an elected government is reinstated in Manipur, with comprehensive consultations involving indigenous communities, especially the Thadou tribe, from both hill and valley regions. He also cited a unanimous resolution passed by the BJP-majority 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on February 29, 2024, which explicitly opposed any SoO extension. Ignoring this legislative mandate, he contended, would be a blatant violation of the Constitution’s Seventh Schedule, which assigns public order to the state, and would undeniably undermine Manipur’s democratic framework.
Recent reports indicating resumed MHA talks with UPF/KNO to renew the SoO pact, despite two years of lapses, have only amplified concerns. As a dedicated BJP karyakarta, a leader within the Thadou community, and someone personally affected by the ongoing crisis in Manipur, Michael Haokip underscored the critical need for a statesmanlike approach to safeguard national security and public sentiment. “The stability of Manipur and the faith of its indigenous peoples in the Government of India are at stake,” he concluded.
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