Source: Hueiyen News Service / L Nehkholien Haokip
Churachandpur, July 23 2009:
Though no progress has been seen towards solving the political solution, the presence of peace has been relatively felt in some hill areas of the state since the signing of the tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement by the Government of India, Government of Manipur and two camps of the Kuki underground groups � the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People's Front (UPF).
Fratricidal killing, internecine feuds, kidnapping and extortions, among others, were rampant in those days amongst the various Kuki militant outfits before the SoO agreement was signed.
The SoO agreement has brought peace and development in some parts of the hill district.
Common men, businessmen, services personnel have no longer fear of extortion and apparently development and progress is slowly coming to happen.
Gone are the days when peoples were afraid of building their own houses for fear of monetary demand.
Before the signing of SoO, demand notes had been served even to ring well constructors.
Fratricidal killings and factional clashes which had claimed heavy toll have also been minimised and no 'unprovoked' gun fires were heard any more.
However, some of the intellectuals are of the opinion that the Suspension of Operation agreement will not be able to bring solution to the Kuki political problem and aspiration.
Yet, the people are pinning their hope that a lasting solution to the problem would be brought in by the SoO.