Imphal | April 19: A meeting of the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) of signatories of the tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) signed by Central government, State government of Manipur and two consortium of Kuki undergrounds was held today at first Manipur Rifles banquet hall here, said an official source.
What has emerged from the meeting appeared to be an uncomfortable situation for both the parties. Within the past few months following the signing of the pact, both the sides have indulged in blaming the other for going against the ground rules of the SoO.
In today’s JMG meeting, the representatives of the two consortiums of Kuki undergrounds, United Progressive Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organization (KNO), refused to accept their monthly stipends for the month of February 2011 on the ground that they have been vetted and reduced, said our source.
The government apparently justified the reduced rate of stipends on the ground that the cadres have been playing truants from the designated camps in contravention to the ground rules of the Suspension of Operation.
“The representatives of UPF and KNO stuck to their guns that unless the rates agreed to be paid to its cadres, they will continue to refuse the stipends,” said the source, adding that the representatives of the government will therefore take their case before the home department following the stand-off.
The meeting of the JMG also approved the construction of two new designated camps, one for Zomi Reunification Army (ZRA) which is under UPF and the other for Kuki National Front–Military Council (KNF–MC) which is with KNO. Both the two camps are expected to be located within Churachandpur district of Manipur.
The government has also sought to implement solar lighting and the provision for drinking water in all the designated camps belonging to both the UPF and KNO. A couple of designated camps have already been provided with the facilities, said the source.
Without giving any timeframe, the government’s side has also sought for the implementation of vocational training program for inmates of the signatories of Suspension of Operation.
The meeting of the JMG was held away from the glare of media attended by representatives from all the sides. While Additional Director General of Police, L M Khaute, Director SIB, some top ranking officers of Assam Rifles, Border Security Forces, Central Reserve Police Force represented the government, the top brass of the two consortium of Kuki undergrounds, United Progressive Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organization (KNO), were equally represented at the meeting today.
Significantly, there are about 18 Kuki underground groups, under the broad banner of UPF and KNO, which have signed the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact with the Central and State government who are lodged in about 10 designated camps in the State, which has now been increased to 12 with the proposal to construct two new designated camps in Churachandpur district. The tripartite SoO was first signed between the two consortiums of Kuki undergrounds with Central and State government in the year 2008 with several meetings of the Joint Monitoring Group having taken place till date.
What has emerged from the meeting appeared to be an uncomfortable situation for both the parties. Within the past few months following the signing of the pact, both the sides have indulged in blaming the other for going against the ground rules of the SoO.
In today’s JMG meeting, the representatives of the two consortiums of Kuki undergrounds, United Progressive Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organization (KNO), refused to accept their monthly stipends for the month of February 2011 on the ground that they have been vetted and reduced, said our source.
The government apparently justified the reduced rate of stipends on the ground that the cadres have been playing truants from the designated camps in contravention to the ground rules of the Suspension of Operation.
“The representatives of UPF and KNO stuck to their guns that unless the rates agreed to be paid to its cadres, they will continue to refuse the stipends,” said the source, adding that the representatives of the government will therefore take their case before the home department following the stand-off.
The meeting of the JMG also approved the construction of two new designated camps, one for Zomi Reunification Army (ZRA) which is under UPF and the other for Kuki National Front–Military Council (KNF–MC) which is with KNO. Both the two camps are expected to be located within Churachandpur district of Manipur.
The government has also sought to implement solar lighting and the provision for drinking water in all the designated camps belonging to both the UPF and KNO. A couple of designated camps have already been provided with the facilities, said the source.
Without giving any timeframe, the government’s side has also sought for the implementation of vocational training program for inmates of the signatories of Suspension of Operation.
The meeting of the JMG was held away from the glare of media attended by representatives from all the sides. While Additional Director General of Police, L M Khaute, Director SIB, some top ranking officers of Assam Rifles, Border Security Forces, Central Reserve Police Force represented the government, the top brass of the two consortium of Kuki undergrounds, United Progressive Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organization (KNO), were equally represented at the meeting today.
Significantly, there are about 18 Kuki underground groups, under the broad banner of UPF and KNO, which have signed the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact with the Central and State government who are lodged in about 10 designated camps in the State, which has now been increased to 12 with the proposal to construct two new designated camps in Churachandpur district. The tripartite SoO was first signed between the two consortiums of Kuki undergrounds with Central and State government in the year 2008 with several meetings of the Joint Monitoring Group having taken place till date.
