Manipur unrest: KNO-UPF in favour of secession of offensives; terms meeting with Assam CM “very positive”

In a significant development towards achieving peace in trouble torn Manipur, the KNO which is one of the groups under Suspension of Operations (SoO), said that it is in favour of secession of any kind of offensives between communities, KNO spokesperson Seilen Haokip said speaking exclusively to Northeast Live today after the meeting with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma last night.

“The meeting was very positive and it was heading in the right direction of essentially secession of any kind of offensives from either side. The Hon’ble CM had conveyed to us the outcome of his meeting with COCOMI and they were also in favour of secession of any kind of offensives from either side. We also responded positively to that gesture. So that is how we are planning to proceed,” Haokip said.

Leaders of UPF too were present at the meeting last night.

“So when both the sides, the Meitei side and our side are on the same page than of course we are confident that firing or other violence will subside,” Haokip added.

Seilen Haokip said that the KNO was in favour of the initiatives taken by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to cease any kind of offensive firing.

“The people and the CSOs in Imphal are agreeable to that and we are also, based on the meeting last night,” Haokip said.

The KNO spokesperson welcomed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s proposed visit to Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. He said that Chief Minister Sarma’s visit will bring to the fore the need to cease offensives, which according to him, both the valley CSOs and the SoO groups are in favour of.

“I think that will send a very positive message,” Haokip hoped.