Thousands of people joined rallies in Manipur on Saturday, demanding protection for indigenous communities and the scrapping of the Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki-Zo militant groups, news agency Press Trust of India reported.The main rally was organised in Imphal by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, an umbrella body of Meitei groups. Several Naga organisations endorsed the demands and held separate marches in the Naga-majority districts of Senapati and Chandel.#WATCH | Manipur | People in large numbers participated in the rally organised by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in Imphal Representatives from different communities, including people from both the hills and the valley, marched and raised slogans demanding the scrapping the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs).— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2026The rallies were held days after militants ambushed 14 Meitei men and killed three of them, triggering protests in a state affected by ethnic violence since May 2023.Thousands of people, including members of the Naga community, marched from Tiddim Ground towards THAU Ground in Imphal West.

The United Naga Council, the apex Naga body, supported the rally. Police put up barricades at Keisampat junction, a few hundred metres from the Lok Bhavan, the Chief Minister's Office and the BJP's state office, and stopped the marchers from proceeding further.

Participants carried posters and placards with messages including “Save Manipur”, “We want peace and justice” and “Abrogate SoO pact”.According to PTI, COCOMI convenor Y Dhiren said, “We seek the resignation of the present government for its failure to protect the lives and properties of the indigenous people of the state. This is a historic rally.

People are raising their voice against policies and programmes which are against the indigenous people.” A protester said Naga tribes, Meiteis and other native communities were coming together after three-and-a-half years of crisis to oppose government policies that they believed were against indigenous people.“We have endured enough pain, loss of lives and property. We must fight illegal immigrants and narco-terrorism, and secure our future,” he said.In Senapati district, the Naga People's Organisation, Senapati District Students' Association and Senapati District Women's Association organised a rally in support of the COCOMI march.

Participants demanded the immediate scrapping of the SoO agreement and the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.United Naga Council president N G Lorho said Nagas across the hill districts had united to defend their ancestral land. “We are the owners and guardians of our land from times immemorial. We will not surrender our ancestral right,” he said.A similar rally was held in Chandel district, where participants also demanded Kipgen's resignation and the scrapping of the SoO agreement.Manipur has witnessed ethnic conflict between the valley-based Meitei and hill-based Kuki communities since May 2023.

At least 306 people have been killed and several remain missing. Clashes between Kukis and Nagas have also killed around 50 people since February this year.PTI reported that, for the first time since the ethnic violence began, security forces had taken control of a camp meant to house Kuki-Zo militants under the nearly two-decade-old truce.

They also plan to inspect all 14 such camps in the state.The takeover followed the discovery that only one of the 159 registered members was present at the camp. This raised questions over compliance with the SoO agreement, which expired on September 4 and was not renewed.One of its main conditions requires militants covered by the agreement to stay in designated camps and refrain from violence.The Centre, the Manipur government and Kuki-Zo militant groups formally signed the agreement in August 2008 to suspend hostilities and facilitate talks for a political settlement.

It also required armed members to remain in designated camps.The arrangement originated in 2005, when the Indian Army and Kuki militant groups reached an understanding to suspend operations against each other. It covers groups under two umbrella organisations, the Kuki National Organisation and the United People's Front.Under the rules, their members must refrain from violence, remain in designated camps and keep their weapons under prescribed security arrangements.The agreement has been central to the Centre's efforts to address the Kuki-Zo insurgency through negotiations, but its continuation has faced increasing opposition since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023.The Manipur Assembly passed a resolution in February 2024 seeking its scrapping, while Naga organisations have also demanded its termination, accusing Kuki-Zo militant groups of involvement in violence.The rallies in Imphal, Senapati and Chandel brought Meitei and Naga organisations together in demanding protection for indigenous communities, the scrapping of the SoO agreement and accountability from the state government.- Ends