Will the Apex Kuki body Reopen the Vital National Highway in Manipur and Extend SoO Deal for Another Year?

New Delhi/Imphal, Sep 4 (NationPress) In an important announcement, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), representing the tribal community, declared its intention to enhance the flow of traffic and individuals along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2), a crucial artery for Manipur.

A senior official revealed that the tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki insurgents has been prolonged for an additional year following a meeting involving the officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Manipur government, and leaders from the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF).

The KZC has committed to reopening National Highway-2 to allow free passage for both travelers and essential supplies.

According to an official statement, this decision was reached after a series of discussions between MHA representatives and KZC delegates in New Delhi over recent days. The KZC has pledged to collaborate with the security forces sent by the Government of India to uphold peace along NH-2.

Additionally, a tripartite dialogue, including members from MHA, the Manipur government, KNO, and UPF, took place in New Delhi on Thursday.

“The meeting concluded with the signing of a revised Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement based on newly negotiated terms, effective from the date of signing for a duration of one year,” the statement noted.

The updated ground rules emphasize the territorial integrity of Manipur and underline the necessity for a negotiated resolution to achieve enduring peace and stability in the region.

As per the statement, both KNO and UPF have consented to relocate seven designated camps from conflict-prone areas, reduce the total number of camps, transfer weapons to the nearest CRPF and BSF facilities, and ensure thorough physical checks of personnel by security forces to disqualify any foreign nationals.

A Joint Monitoring Group will henceforth oversee adherence to these ground rules, with strict penalties for any violations, including a review of the SoO Agreement.

In the meantime, the KZC stated that the MHA has voiced serious concerns regarding commuter safety on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) through Kangpokpi district, clarifying that no recent incidents have occurred affecting commuters or the transport of essential goods along NH-2.

“However, the Kuki-Zo Council urges the MHA to deploy central security forces to ensure the safety of travelers and the transport of essential goods along NH-2. In line with the resolution from the Kangpokpi Public Meeting on July 29, 2025, the Kuki-Zo Council requests the public in Kangpokpi District to assist the security forces from the government of India in their efforts to protect travelers and the transportation of essential goods on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur),” the statement, endorsed by eight KZC leaders, read.

The UPF and KNO, a coalition of 23 insurgent groups, originally entered into an SoO with the government on August 22, 2008, with 2,266 insurgents residing in various designated camps across Manipur’s hill sectors.

Conversely, the majority Meitei community has opposed any renewal of the SoO agreement with Kuki insurgents.

Since the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023, following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ protesting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status, over 260 lives have been lost, 1,500 individuals injured, and more than 70,000 displaced. Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, just four days after N. Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister on February 9.

The Manipur Assembly, composed of 60 members, is currently suspended, with its term running until 2027.