Republican Party of India (Athawale) Manipur unit president Maheshwar Thounaojam has dismissed the recent extension of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement as “pointless” and “detrimental to the state’s interests.”
In a statement, the national secretary of RPI (A) accused the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Kuki-Zo Council of projecting conflicting versions of the deal. While the MHA presented the renewal as a safeguard for Manipur’s territorial integrity and a step toward peace, the Kuki-Zo Council insisted that buffer zones would continue, effectively limiting Meitei mobility.
Maheshwar described this contradiction as a “direct threat to civilians’ safety.” He further denounced what he termed the “preferential treatment” of SoO groups despite their alleged unlawful activities. Expressing dismay at the silence of Manipur’s elected leaders, he urged politicians across party lines to unite in opposing the extension.
