Will Manipur Enforce All Aspects of the Tripartite Pact with Kuki Militants?

Imphal, Sep 5 (NationPress) The government of Manipur is set to enforce all the stipulations of the tripartite agreement with the Kuki militants, extending the Suspension of Operations (SoO) for an additional year, as announced by Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel on Friday.

The Chief Secretary confirmed that every provision specified in the SoO agreement, which was formalized on Thursday in New Delhi among the Centre, the state government, and Kuki armed factions, would be enacted.

Goel stated, “The government’s primary objective is the restoration of peace and stability in Manipur,” while addressing the media during the state-level Teachers’ Day event in Imphal.

In response to inquiries about the reopening of the crucial Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2), the Chief Secretary emphasized that the agreement signed on September 4 would be adhered to rigorously.

Regarding the Kuki Zo Council's request for strict enforcement of buffer zones between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo territories, Goel reiterated the government's dedication to fulfilling all clauses of the tripartite pact.

A senior official revealed that the tripartite SoO agreement with Kuki militant factions has been prolonged for another year following discussions among the officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Manipur government, and leaders of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF).

Subsequent to a series of meetings involving MHA officials, the Manipur government, and leaders of the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the KZC has pledged to collaborate with Indian security forces to uphold peace along NH-2, according to an official statement.

The statement read: "The meeting wrapped up with the signing of a tripartite SoO agreement under newly negotiated terms and conditions, effective from the signing date for a duration of one year."

Among other stipulations, the revised ground rules reaffirmed the territorial integrity of Manipur and the necessity for a negotiated resolution to achieve enduring peace and stability in the region.

The KNO and UPF have also consented to relocate seven designated camps from conflict-prone areas, reduce the number of camps, transfer weapons to the closest CRPF and BSF camps, and ensure rigorous verification of cadres by security forces to eliminate any foreign nationals.

A Joint Monitoring Group will now oversee the enforcement of these regulations, with strict actions against any violations, including a review of the SoO Agreement, the statement added.

The UPF and KNO, a coalition of 24 underground groups, initially signed the SoO with the government on August 22, 2008, with 2,266 members currently residing in various designated camps in Manipur’s hill districts.

However, the state’s majority Meitei community has expressed opposition to any extension of the SoO with the Kuki militant groups.