Meitei groups rally in Imphal, backed by Naga bodies, demand SoO truce abrogation

Meitei community organisations gathered in Imphal on Thursday to call for the cancellation of the Special Operations (SoO) truce pact signed with insurgent groups. The rally, held near the Manipur Legislative Assembly, featured banners and speeches demanding that the state government withdraw from the agreement, which they say compromises Meitei interests.

Representatives of several Naga bodies attended the event and publicly expressed support for the Meitei demand, signalling a rare alignment between the two ethnic groups on this issue. Naga leaders affirmed their willingness to cooperate with Meitei groups in seeking a revision of the truce terms.

The SoO pact, originally intended to curb violence in the region, has faced criticism from various quarters for allegedly limiting the state's ability to address security concerns. State officials have not yet responded to the rally's demands, and the situation remains under close observation as communal tensions persist in Manipur.