Kuki-Zo Council Reopens NH-2 as Delhi Brokers Fresh Truce, Including Territorial Integrity of Manipur

Ukhrul, September 4: In a move aimed at easing months of disruption, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) would reopen National Highway-2 for the free movement of commuters and essential goods. The decision follows a series of high-level meetings in the capital between representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs and a delegation of the council, Government of India has said.

The KZC has committed to working with security forces deployed by the central government to maintain peace along the critical highway, which serves as a lifeline for communities in Manipur. “The decision came after a series of meetings between officials of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and a delegation of KZC in the last few days at New Delhi,” GoI said.

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The announcement coincided with a tripartite meeting in New Delhi involving the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of Manipur, and representatives of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF). Officials said the talks concluded with the signing of a renewed Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, setting out re-negotiated ground rules.

The agreement, effective immediately and valid for one year, is intended to reduce tensions and provide a framework for stability in the state. “The meeting concluded with the signing of a tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement  on re-negotiated terms and conditions (ground rules) to be effective from the day of signing of the Agreement for a period of one year,” said GoI.

Among other provisions, the revised ground rules reiterated:

– The territorial integrity of Manipur.
– Need for a negotiated solution to bring lasting peace and stability to the State of Manipur.

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As per GoI the KNO and UPF have also agreed to:

1. Relocate seven designated camps away from areas vulnerable to conflict.
2. Reduce the number of designated camps.
3. Relocate the weapons with nearest CRPF/BSF camps.
4. Stringent physical verification of cadres by Security Forces to de-list foreign nationals, if any. 

GoI then said, that the Joint Monitoring Group will henceforth closely monitor enforcement of ground rules, and violations will be dealt with firmly in future, including review of the SoO Agreement.

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