Peace hopes rise as key Manipur pact signed, NH opened

The Centre on Thursday signed a landmark tripartite agreement with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups and the Manipur government, and convinced protesters to restart traffic on an arterial highway that was blocked for two years, potentially setting the stage for peace in the strife-torn state where at least 260 people have died in ethnic clashes since 2023.

- Prawesh Lama

The Union home ministry (MHA) said a meeting among representatives of the MHA, Manipur government, and Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF) ended with the signing of a tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement on renegotiated terms and conditions (ground rules).

“In a significant decision, the Kuki-Zo Council has decided today to open the National Highway-02 for the free movement of commuters and essential goods. KZC has given commitment to cooperate with security forces deployed by Gol to maintain peace along NH-02," the ministry said in a statement.

The developments came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s possible visit to the state, his first since violence broke out in May 2023, around September 13. Modi, who is on a scheduled visit to Mizoram around that time, could hold public meetings in the Valley district of Imphal and the hill district of Churachandpur, officials aware of the matter said. To be sure, there is no official confirmation or announcement of a visit.

Imphal is a valley district where Meiteis reside, while Kuki-Zo tribals live in Churachandpur. The two regions have remained virtually partitioned since violence broke out in May 2023 with security agencies establishing buffer regions to tamp down on killings.

In the state, the announcement triggered mixed responses with Meitei groups warning of unrest and the Kuki organisations welcoming the signing of the pact.

The signing of the tripartite agreement is significant because a similar pact was abruptly terminated by then chief minister N Biren Singh in 2023 in an act that was seen as contributing to the deteriorating of relations between the Kuki and Meitei communities.