Meitei‑Naga forum seeks end to SoO pact, BSF deployment, NRC in Manipur

Imphal: The newly formed Native Peoples’ Committee Manipur (NPCM) — a joint civil body comprising Meitei and Naga communities — in its first convention on Tuesday demanded abrogation of the suspension of operation (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, replacement of Assam Rifles with the Border Security Force (BSF) in the state, and updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the upcoming census operations.The convention was held at Makhan village, located in the foothills of the sacred Kaburou hills in Kangpokpi district.NPCM convenor Ashang Kasar questioned whether the joint monitoring group under the SoO agreement was functioning as intended. “The whole of Manipur has become camps for the SoO groups. Are they conducting a census of these groups? Are they aware of new recruits?” he asked.The ongoing three‑year‑old ethnic conflict, initially confined to the Kuki‑Zo and Meitei communities, has now expanded to involve the Naga community, deepening the state’s social and security complexities.