Is the Suspension of Operations Pact Failing? Alarming Revelations from the Sinai Camp Raise Questions About Government Oversight and Rising Violence!

Kuki National Army and Kuki Liberation Army's camp raise serious
questions about Government oversight and safety in the region

 Is the Suspension of Operations Pact Failing? Alarming Revelations from the Sinai Camp Raise Questions About Government Oversight and Rising Violence!

The situation at the Sinai camp, where a significant number of Kuki National Army and Kuki Liberation Army members are unaccounted for, highlights a critical failure in the enforcement of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. This lack of oversight has allowed armed groups to operate with impunity, raising serious concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of the government's peacekeeping efforts. The on-going violence, including recent murders, underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive review and potential abolition of the SoO pact, as the current framework appears inadequate to ensure accountability and security in the region.

We still remember that when the former North East Advisor, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), A.K Mishra said if SoO cadres were found violating ground rules, then severe action would be taken against the cadres.

Recent reports reveal a troubling situation at the Sinai camp, where only 18 out of 140-150 members of the Kuki National Army and Kuki Liberation Army were present. This raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, which has seemingly allowed these groups to operate with little oversight since May 3, 2023. For years, authorities in Imphal seemed to look the other way, rarely checking in on these designated camps and things like maintaining weapons in double-lockers system. Since May 3, 2023, these armed cadres have essentially been given free rein, with little government oversight.

Based on the editorial in the Sangai Express dated October 23, 2026, it is revealed that the growing demand to abolish the SoO pact, especially given that over 85% of the cadres were unaccounted for at the Sinai camp. This raises questions about the whereabouts of these individuals and the arms that should be secured at the camp. The lack of government action or transparency regarding the monitoring of these camps is alarming. On October 19, Kuki militants tragically killed three woodcutters at Sunurok hill. By October 20, police had arrested three suspects, two of whom confessed to the murders. The following day, personnel from the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) moved into the Sinai camp, highlighting the urgent need for a review of the SoO pact. Despite the rising violence, New Delhi extended the SoO agreement for another year on September 1, 2025, although officials later indicated that it had not been officially renewed.

The absence of so many cadres contradicts claims of recovering illegal arms, especially after calls for surrendering weapons during the previous administration. While the government initially focused on arms looted from police armouries, it has not addressed the weapons used in attacks on communities and farmers.

There has been no indication that the SoO camps are being regularly inspected. Early in the conflict, officials mentioned inspection drives, but there has been little follow-up since. This raises the question: Is the government seeking permission from New Delhi to conduct these inspections? If so, have they made any attempts to do so? The on-going violence suggests that without proper oversight, peace remains a distant hope.

The alarming absence of a significant number of Kuki National Army and Kuki Liberation Army members at the Sinai camp, coupled with recent violent incidents, underscores the urgent need for a thorough review of the SoO pact. The government's apparent inaction and lack of transparency in monitoring these camps not only jeopardizes public safety but also undermines the credibility of peace efforts in the region. As calls for the abolition of the SoO pact grow louder, it is imperative that authorities take decisive steps to ensure accountability and restore trust among the communities they serve. Without immediate and effective intervention, the prospect of lasting peace remains perilously out of reach.