Govt, Kuki groups reach agreement to maintain peace; NH-02 opens for free movement

RELOCATE CAMPS IN MANIPUR

- NARESH BISWANI

NEW DELHI: Two influential Kuki-Zo organisations signed a renewed Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the government on Thursday, an accord that is expected to strengthen peace efforts in Manipur which has been struggling with ethnic unrest for more than a year. The pact, concluded with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF), followed several rounds of negotiations in New Delhi between representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Manipur government, and the two groups.

The agreement, to be in force for one year from the date of signing, includes revised ground rules under which the groups have agreed to uphold Manipur's territorial integrity, relocate designated camps from conflict-prone areas, and pursue a negotiated solution to achieve long-term stability.

The Ministry of Home Affairs in its statement described the signing as the outcome of sustained dialogue. It noted that the KNO and UPF had consented to shift seven designated camps away from sensitive locations and move their weapons to nearby camps of the Central Reserve Police Force and Border Security Force. The groups also agreed to reduce the number of such camps and submit to strict verification of cadres to ensure no foreign nationals remain in their ranks.

A joint monitoring body will supervise adherence to the pact and violations will attract firm action, including the possibility of reviewing the agreement itself.