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NEW DELHI: In a “historic development” that is expected to usher calm in the North-East in general and Manipur in particular, the Centre and Manipur government on Wednesday signed a peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest valley-based armed group of the state, comprising Meitei rebels.
As per the agreement signed here by senior officials of the home ministry and Manipur government and UNLF representatives, the outfit has agreed to return to the mainstream, abjure violence, cease all illegal activities and explore a peace settlement within the four corners of the Constitution.
UNLF – comprising around 400-500 armed rebels, many of which are based in Myanmar- is not only the oldest but the first valley-based outfit to come to the negotiating table. Though formed in 1964, UNLF had until now resisted peace overtures and remained adamant on their demand for a separate state. The security establishment is hopeful that UNLF’s move will encourage other valley-based Meitei rebel groups to realise the futility of armed rebellion and participate in the peace process in due course.
“A historic milestone achieved!!! Modi govt’s relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the North-East have added a new chapter of fulfilment as UNLF signed a peace agreement today in New Delhi….I welcome them to the democratic processes and wish them all the best in their journey on the path of peace and progress, ” home minister Amit Shah posted on X. He called the peace agreement “a landmark achievement in realising PM Modi’s vision of all-inclusive development and providing a better future to the youths of North-East India”.
The tripartite peace deal will not only bring an end to hostilities between UNLF and the security forces, which have claimed precious lives, but also provide an opportunity to address the longstanding concerns of the community, said an MHA statement.
A peace-monitoring committee will be constituted to oversee enforcement of the agreed ground rules.
A senior Manipur government officer told TOI that while a suspension of operations or ceasefire is under way with the rebel outfits representing Kuki and Naga (NSCN) inhabitants of Manipur, the latest peace deal with the valley-based rebel groups will involve the majority Meitei community as well.
The Modi government has signed peace agreements with several northeastern insurgent/rebel outfits since it took over in 2014, enabling a decline of 73% in violent incidents, 72% in fatalities of security forces and 86% in civilian killings during 2014-23 as compared with 2004-14.
As per the agreement signed here by senior officials of the home ministry and Manipur government and UNLF representatives, the outfit has agreed to return to the mainstream, abjure violence, cease all illegal activities and explore a peace settlement within the four corners of the Constitution.
UNLF – comprising around 400-500 armed rebels, many of which are based in Myanmar- is not only the oldest but the first valley-based outfit to come to the negotiating table. Though formed in 1964, UNLF had until now resisted peace overtures and remained adamant on their demand for a separate state. The security establishment is hopeful that UNLF’s move will encourage other valley-based Meitei rebel groups to realise the futility of armed rebellion and participate in the peace process in due course.
“A historic milestone achieved!!! Modi govt’s relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the North-East have added a new chapter of fulfilment as UNLF signed a peace agreement today in New Delhi….I welcome them to the democratic processes and wish them all the best in their journey on the path of peace and progress, ” home minister Amit Shah posted on X. He called the peace agreement “a landmark achievement in realising PM Modi’s vision of all-inclusive development and providing a better future to the youths of North-East India”.
The tripartite peace deal will not only bring an end to hostilities between UNLF and the security forces, which have claimed precious lives, but also provide an opportunity to address the longstanding concerns of the community, said an MHA statement.
A peace-monitoring committee will be constituted to oversee enforcement of the agreed ground rules.
A senior Manipur government officer told TOI that while a suspension of operations or ceasefire is under way with the rebel outfits representing Kuki and Naga (NSCN) inhabitants of Manipur, the latest peace deal with the valley-based rebel groups will involve the majority Meitei community as well.
The Modi government has signed peace agreements with several northeastern insurgent/rebel outfits since it took over in 2014, enabling a decline of 73% in violent incidents, 72% in fatalities of security forces and 86% in civilian killings during 2014-23 as compared with 2004-14.
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