SoO signatories show pro-Sadar Hills stance at JMG meeting

IMPHAL, August 19 : Kuki militant groups currently under the Suspension of Operation, SoO have exerted pressure upon both the centre and state government regarding the long cherished demand of a separate Sadar Hills district of the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee, said a source. According to a highly placed official source, the militant outfits had exerted pressure for the government to fulfill the demands of a separate Sadar Hills district, during a joint Monitoring Group meeting of the SoO signatories which was held Wednesday at the MHA block, New Delhi, however, the concerned representatives of the central and state government have failed to comply positively to the new demands of the SoO signatories. The source also mentioned that the JMG meeting has agreed upon the extension of the SoO for another year starting from August 22 and to further enhance the monthly stipends received by the cadres of the groups from Rs 3000 to Rs 5000. The meeting was attended by joint secretary North East in charge of MHA Sambhu Singh, officials of Intelligence Bureau, military intelligence, Assam Rifles, Army CRPF, BSF representing the central government while the state government was represented by the chief secretary DS Poonia and addl. DGP (Intelligence) L.M. Khoute and leaders of the various Kuki militant groups which are under the banner of KNO/KNA and UPF who were the signatories of SoO, stated the source. Meanwhile, the leaders of the Kuki militants who present in the JMG meeting yesterday reportedly demanded early completion of the remaining designated camps which was officially approved earlier by the government, the source added.