Four Indigenous Bodies Urge Home Minister to Terminate Flawed SoO Agreements

Last Updated on July 3, 2025 by SPN Editor

Four indigenous organizations from Manipur, namely the Indigenous Peoples’ Forum Manipur, Thadou Inpi Manipur, Meitei Alliance, and Foothills Naga Co-ordination Committee, have formally submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah, on July 3, 2025. The memorandum urged the Government of India to refrain from renewing the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreements with armed militant groups, citing their persistent violations and contribution to the ongoing law-and-order crisis in Manipur since May 3, 2023.

The SoO Agreements, formalized on August 22, 2008, as tripartite arrangements among the Government of India, the Government of Manipur, and two Kuki armed groups—the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF)—were intended to promote peace by curbing violence. However, the memorandum asserts that these groups have consistently breached the agreements’ Preamble and Ground Rules, engaging in unlawful activities, including violent incidents in Churachandpur, Torbung, and Kanvai, which involved arson and attacks on civilians.

The organizations highlight structural deficiencies in the SoO Agreements, particularly the composition of the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG), which includes representatives from the KNO and UPF. This arrangement, they argue, creates a conflict of interest, as the groups responsible for violations are tasked with overseeing compliance. The JMG, chaired by the Principal Secretary/Commissioner (Home) of the Government of Manipur and comprising representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Central Paramilitary Organisations, the Indian Army, and the militant groups, is mandated to meet monthly to monitor compliance. However, the inclusion of the KNO and UPF in the JMG undermines the State Government’s constitutional authority to maintain law and order, as outlined in List II of the State List.

The memorandum also noted that the Government of Manipur abrogated the SoO Agreements with the Kuki National Army (KNA) and Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) in March 2023 and recommended against their renewal in January 2024. The organizations assert that any extension of the agreements must align with the recommendations of the elected State Government and address the structural flaws in the current framework.

In the letter to the Home Minister, the four bodies have outlined proposals to restore peace and stability in Manipur. They urge the termination of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreements, as recommended by the Manipur State Government, to address ongoing unrest. To strengthen governance, they advocate for the establishment of a popular government or the conduct of re-elections to ensure the elected State Government holds authority over decisions regarding the SoO Agreements. If renewal of the SoO Agreements is considered, a thorough review and restructuring are proposed to ensure their effective implementation. The appointment of an independent and neutral arbitrator is recommended to resolve conflicts of interest in accordance with the Constitution of India. Additionally, they call for the prosecution of armed militants involved in violent acts, ensuring that no members or signatories of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) or United People’s Front (UPF) implicated in such activities are shielded by the SoO. Finally, they emphasize that the SoO Agreements should be reaffirmed as a tool to promote non-violence, not as a safeguard for violent actions.