Suspension of Operations

 Withdrawal of Manipur from Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement

• The  Manipur government decided to withdraw from the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with two militant groups, Kuki National Army (KNA) and Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), alleging their involvement in inciting agitation among forest encroachers.

Kuki Insurgency :

• The Kuki insurgency began after ethnic clashes with the Nagas of Manipur in the early 1990s, with the Kukis arming themselves against Naga aggression.
• The major reason for clashes is the land claimed by the Kukis as their “homeland” in the Manipur hills overlaps with the imagined Naga homeland of Greater Nagaland or Nagalim.
• Nearly 30 Kuki insurgent groups operate in Manipur, of which 25 are under tripartite SoO with the Government of India and the state.
• As many as 17 are under the umbrella group Kuki National Organisation (KNO), and 8 are under the United People’s Front (UPF).
• The Kuki outfits initially demanded a separate Kuki state but now seek a ‘Kukiland territorial council.’

 Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) :

• The group was formed in 1996 with the aim of securing greater autonomy for the Zomi people, an indigenous community living in the region.
• The ZRA is believed to be a splinter group of the larger Zomi Nationalist Movement (ZNM), which was active in the 1980s and 1990s.
• What is the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Pact :
• The SoO agreement with Kuki was signed in 2008 as a ceasefire agreement between the Indian government and various Kuki militant groups operating in the northeastern states of Manipur and Nagaland.
• Under the agreement, the Kuki militant groups agreed to stop carrying out violent activities and come to designated camps to be monitored by security forces.
• In return, the Indian government agreed to suspend its operations against the Kuki groups.

 Terms of SoO Pact:

• The Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) oversees the effective implementation of the pact.
• Security forces, including state and central forces, cannot launch operations, nor can the underground groups.
• Signatories of UPF and KNO abide by the Constitution of India, laws of the land, and territorial integrity of Manipur.
• They are prohibited from committing atrocities and extortion.
• The militant cadres are confined to designated camps, with arms deposited in a safe room under a double-locking system.
• The groups are given arms only to guard their camps and protect their leaders.

Steps taken by the Government

• Armed forces Special Powers Act:
• In 1980, the Centre declared the entire Manipur as a “disturbed area” and imposed AFSPA to suppress the insurgency movement, which remains in force till date.
• Operation All Clear:
• Assam Rifles and the army had conducted operation “All Clear” in the hill areas, most of the militants’ hideouts had been neutralised, with many of them having shifted to the valley.

 Ceasefire Agreement:

• The  National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN)-IM entered a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India in 1997, even as peace talks between them have still been continuing.
• The Kuki outfits under two umbrella groups, the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF), also signed the tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) pacts with the Governments of India and Manipur on August 22, 2008.

Practice Questions for Prelims

  Who of the following can declare application of AFSPA in a disturbed area?
1) Judiciary (Supreme Court and High Courts only).
2) State Governments
3) Central Government

a) 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All of the above

Ans. b

Mains Practice Question

The  Manipur government decided to withdraw from the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with two militant groups, Kuki National Army (KNA) and Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), can be a set back for ongoing reconciliation with insurgent groups. analyse.

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