# Imphal Streets Swell With Protesters Demanding Manipur CM Resignation and Abrogation of SoO Truce

> Thousands marched across Imphal under the COCOMI banner following a deadly ambush, insisting on the Chief Minister's exit and the immediate revocation of the tripartite Suspension of Operations accord.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Manipur · **Published:** 2026-10-31 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/manipur/imphal-men-bhari-janasailaba-meitei-samuhon-ne-ki-mukhyamntri-ke-istiphe-aura-soo-samajhaute-ko-khatma-karane-ki-manga-53867 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Manipur violence, Imphal protest, COCOMI, SoO pact, Meitei community, United Naga Council

A massive wave of public anger swept through Imphal on Saturday as thousands of citizens marched across the capital, intensifying pressure on the authorities over deteriorating security in the region. Organized by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the large demonstration saw participants demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister and the complete termination of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with militant groups. This resurgence of street agitation comes in the direct aftermath of an armed ambush targeting a 14-member group of Meitei men, which left three people dead and rekindled tensions in a state gripped by intermittent ethnic clashes since May 2023.

## Rally Intercepted En Route to THAU Ground
The demonstration commenced at Tiddim Ground, with the gathering intending to make its way toward the THAU ground located in Imphal West district. However, police forces halted the march using barricades at Keisampat junction, situated mere hundreds of metres away from Lok Bhavan, the Chief Minister's Office, and the state headquarters of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Undeterred by the barricades, crowds rallied peacefully with placards bearing messages such as "save Manipur," "we want peace and justice," and "abrogate SoO pact." The public demonstration also received formal endorsement from the United Naga Council, the apex representative body of the Naga community.

## Civil Society Calls for Accountability
Addressing the gathering, COCOMI convenor Y Dhiren stated that the current administration ought to step down after failing to protect the lives and assets of the state's indigenous inhabitants. He characterized the demonstration as a historic manifestation of public outrage against policies that work to the detriment of local populations. One demonstrator highlighted that three and a half years of prolonged instability have prompted Meiteis, Naga tribes, and other native groups to find common ground after enduring persistent losses of life and property, asserting that the broader society must resolutely tackle illegal immigration and narco-terrorism to secure its future.

## Naga Bodies Mobilize in Chandel District
Naga civil society organizations have equally pressed for the abrogation of the truce accord, leveling accusations against Kuki-Zo armed outfits for participating in ongoing hostilities. In a parallel demonstration held in Chandel district, Naga civil groups took to the streets to demand the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen alongside the immediate termination of the SoO mechanism. The parallel demonstrations underscore widening dissatisfaction across different communities regarding current administrative accountability and existing security frameworks.

## Security Takeover and Audit of Designated Camps
These street actions unfolded against the backdrop of an unprecedented operational measure by security personnel, who assumed direct physical control of a designated camp housing Kuki-Zo militants under the truce for the first time since ethnic unrest erupted. Official authorities are now scheduled to carry out comprehensive audits across all 14 designated facilities throughout the state. This decisive intervention followed an inspection revealing that merely one out of 159 officially enrolled cadres was physically present on site, creating serious questions regarding adherence to the accord's ground rules, particularly after the pact lapsed on September 4 without receiving an extension.

## Evolution of the Tripartite Framework
The Suspension of Operations pact dates back to August 2008, when it was formally entered into by the Union Government, the Manipur state administration, and Kuki-Zo armed factions. The primary objective was to halt active armed confrontation and foster conditions suitable for political dialogue. Under its terms, insurgent cadres were obligated to reside in designated facilities, abstain from violent activities, and keep all arms stored under specified security protocols. The framework encompasses organizations functioning under two umbrella formations, namely the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF). The operational groundwork originated earlier in 2005 through an initial bilateral understanding reached by the Indian Army.

## Contested Status and Human Toll
While the pact historically formed the core of the central government's engagement strategy regarding the Kuki-Zo insurgency, it has faced mounting opposition following the outbreak of ethnic strife. In February 2024, the Manipur Legislative Assembly took the formal step of passing an official resolution seeking its total abrogation. The enduring confrontation between valley-based Meitei communities and hill-based Kuki groups has claimed no fewer than 306 lives, with several persons still unaccounted for. Additionally, separate armed flare-ups between Kuki and Naga groups since February of this year have resulted in around 50 more fatalities.

## What this means for you
The massive demonstrations highlight intensifying public pressure on governance and escalating security challenges across Manipur.

- **Across India:** Continued unrest in the northeastern corridor raises substantial concerns for homeland security and domestic policy stability. It prompts federal authorities to reassess existing ceasefire frameworks and tighten surveillance against insurgent violations.
- **In Manipur:** Daily routines, public transport, and commercial operations across Imphal West and adjoining districts face repeated disruptions due to barricades and sudden protest rallies. Commuters must navigate heightened security checks and road diversions around key administrative buildings.
- **Administrative Stability:** Growing resignation demands targeting the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister deepen the state's ongoing political turbulence. This instability could alter local governance decisions and slow down administrative recovery programs.
- **Camp Surveillance:** The decision to audit all 14 designated camps directly influences security oversight of armed cadres in the region. Stricter inspections are expected to curtail unauthorized cadre movements and reinforce ground-level compliance.

## Why this happened
The mass public mobilization emerged following a recent fatal ambush alongside growing scrutiny over non-compliance within existing ceasefire agreements.

- **Recent Deadly Ambush:** An armed strike on a group of 14 Meitei men led to the death of three individuals just days before the march. This immediate provocation ignited widespread anger regarding civilian safety and state protection.
- **Breach of Camp Guidelines:** A security takeover of a designated shelter revealed that only one out of 159 registered insurgent cadres was present on the premises. The absence fueled allegations that armed groups were leaving designated facilities to engage in unauthorized violence.
- **Lapse of the Truce Pact:** The Suspension of Operations agreement expired on September 4 without formal renewal. Its uncertain status prompted both Meitei and Naga groups to vigorously demand its official abrogation.
- **Cumulative Ethnic Grievance:** Over 306 fatalities since May 2023 and ongoing inter-community clashes have fostered deep disillusionment among residents over the administration's crisis management.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What are the primary demands of the protesters in Imphal?
The demonstrators are calling for the immediate resignation of the Chief Minister and the complete termination of the Suspension of Operations pact.

### 2. What triggered this fresh wave of public protests?
The rally was sparked by an armed ambush on a group of 14 Meitei men that resulted in the killing of three individuals.

### 3. When was the Suspension of Operations agreement originally signed?
The pact was officially signed in August 2008 between the central government, the Manipur government, and Kuki-Zo insurgent groups.

### 4. Why did security forces take over a designated militant camp?
Officials took control after finding that only one of the 159 registered cadres was physically present at the camp during inspection.

### 5. What demands were raised by Naga bodies during their rally in Chandel?
Naga organizations demanded the termination of the truce agreement alongside the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.

### 6. What is the casualty figure from the ethnic conflict since May 2023?
At least 306 people have been killed in clashes between Meitei and Kuki groups, with around 50 additional deaths in Kuki-Naga fighting.

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