Kuki groups agree to renew suspension of ops; open key Manipur National Highway

NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI: Days before PM Modi is due to visit Manipur, two key peace deals - one with the Kuki-Zo Council for opening the arterial Imphal-Dimapur National Highway 2 for the movement of commuters and goods, and the second with two Kuki umbrella militant outfits for renewal of the suspension of operations (SoO), while maintaining the territorial integrity of Manipur - have been finalised. A meeting among the representatives of the ministry of home affairs, govt of Manipur, Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People's Front (UPF) here on Thursday led to the signing of a tripartite SoO among them. Though the SoO was in force since 2008, it could not be renewed after Feb 2024 due to the ongoing ethnic tension. Importantly, the agreement inked on Thursday hints at the start of a tripartite, political dialogue with KNO and UPF to pave the way for "a negotiated political settlement under the Constitution in a time-bound manner". Kuki groups agree to deposit arms, delist foreign nationals | page 20 The latest, yearlong extension of SoO comes with renegotiated terms - KNO and UPF have agreed to the relocation of seven designated camps to less vulnerable areas, reduction in number of camps, relocation of weapons to nearest CRPF or BSF camps, physical verification of cadres to delist foreign nationals, and payment of 'remuneration' to cadres via direct benefit transfer.A joint monitoring group will closely watch the enforcement of ground rules, and violations dealt with firmly, said MHA. The revised ground rules for SoO endorse the need to work on a negotiated solution to bring lasting peace and stability to the state."KNO and UPF as well as their constituents shall completely abjure the path of violence and abide by the Constitution of India, the laws of the land, and the territorial integrity of Manipur," the SoO agreement states.Experts described the peace pacts as a "milestone" in efforts to establish peace in Manipur. A reaffirmation of the state's territorial integrity signals a retreat from their demand for a separate administration, said officials. However, the Kuki Zo Council, in a clarification issued later, said it hopes for "a political dialogue for a 'separate administration' under the Constitution of India".Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh played down the importance of Thursday's development. In a post on X, he said, "SoO first came into force on Aug 1, 2005. It was subsequently formalised on Aug 22, 2008. It was allowed to lapse in Feb 2024. If anything, state BJP leaders had been critical of SoO. It was the Congress that created the breakthrough in the first place."The MHA statement on Thursday said talks between its senior officials and Kuki-Zo Council led the latter to decide on opening NH-2 for unrestricted movement of human and goods traffic. KZC has given a commitment to cooperate with security forces deployed by the govt of India to maintain peace along NH-2.Sources in the Manipur govt said the central forces will remain deployed in adequate numbers in the buffer zones. A senior IPS officer told TOI that it may take some time before the ethnic tensions are sorted and all, including Meiteis, are able to move freely in buffer zones.Over 260 persons have died and more than 60,000 displaced since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur in May 2023.