Fri Sep 05 17:36:22 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article rewrite:

**Summary:**

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a major Meitei civil society group, is strongly protesting the Indian government’s extension of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups in Manipur. COCOMI believes this move undermines the interests of the Meitei people, especially in light of the violence and criminal activity it attributes to these groups. They argue the decision is undemocratic, imposed during President’s Rule without the consent of the people, and disregards a previous resolution by the Manipur Legislative Assembly to abrogate the SoO. They also criticize the government for negotiating fundamental rights like free movement with armed groups. Despite this opposition, a BJP legislator welcomes the reopening of National Highway-2, seeing it as a step toward restoring normalcy after prolonged ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The tensions arise ahead of a planned visit by Prime Minister Modi.
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**News Article:**

**Manipur Civil Group Rejects SoO Extension Amid Rising Tensions Ahead of Modi Visit**

**New Delhi, September 6, 2025** – A leading Meitei civil society organization in Manipur, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), has vehemently rejected the extension of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement between the Indian government and Kuki-Zo insurgent groups. The move comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to the state on September 13th, his first since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023.

COCOMI accuses the central government of an “undemocratic and hegemonic imposition” by extending the SoO, arguing that it disregards the interests of the indigenous Meitei population, who have been affected by the violence. The group claims the decision flies in the face of a Manipur Legislative Assembly resolution to revoke the SoO, and that negotiating fundamental rights, like freedom of movement, with armed groups is a dangerous precedent.

“The decision to extend the SoO under such circumstances is illegitimate,” COCOMI said in a statement, referring to the fact that Manipur is currently under President’s Rule, administered directly from New Delhi.

The MHA stated that the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has agreed to open National Highway-2 for free movement of commuters and essential goods,

While tensions are high, not everyone opposes the move. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Y. Khemchand Singh hailed the reopening of National Highway-2 as a positive step toward restoring normalcy and communal harmony in the region.

The ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has claimed approximately 250 lives and displaced over 60,000 people. The government hopes the SoO extension, along with Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit, will pave the way for lasting peace in the troubled state. However, COCOMI’s strong opposition highlights the deep divisions and challenges that remain.

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