SoO groups are public menace: Johnson

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 27

The Integrity Protection Day was observed today by ACOAM-Lup, Kangleipak in coordination with various social activities and academicians at Manipur Press Club, Imphal.

Speaking as presidium member of the function, United Committee Manipur (UCM), president, Johnson Elangbam said that militant groups under the suspension of operation (SoO) have become a threat to the general public as they killed many innocent people and conducted many extortion from the innocent public.

The government has not taken up any action against violation of SoO ground rules, he charged.

He said safeguarding the state’s territorial integrity and communal harmony is firm stand of the people of the state but militant groups under SoO like KNA and UPF are trying to break up the state’s integrity and unity.

The UCM president blamed the state government for allowing the SoO groups to exercise their power to the civilians by breaking the ground rules.

He urged the state government to take up action and operation against such SoO militant groups if they violate the ground rules.

Stating that SoO groups pressured Kuki brothers and sisters to demand separate Kuki homeland and Kuki territorial council, which will affect the integrity of the state Johnson warned that the state government should be responsible if any communal riot breaks out.

A two minute silence was observed to honour the 18 martyrs.

The function was attended by ACOAM-Lup, Kangleipak president, Ksh. Somorendro, national awardee, H. Ibotombi Khuman, PANDM  president, Y. Dilipkumar, IPSA president, Kh. Chingkhei Luwang, Kanglamei president, Y. Leirikleima and KIL president, R.K. Sanahanbi as presidium members.