New Delhi: The Government of India and Government of Manipur signed a Peace Agreement with United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest valley-based armed group of Manipur in New Delhi today.
This is the first time when a valley-based Manipuri armed group agreed to return to mainstream by abjuring violence and agreeing to honour the Constitution of India and laws of the land.
The agreement was signed by senior officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Government of Manipur and representatives of United National Liberation Front.
Following the agreement, a Peace Monitoring Committee (PMC) will be constituted to oversee enforcement of the agreed ground rules. The development is likely to be a significant step in restoring peace and normalcy in the State.
The UNLF was formed in 1964 and operated both within and outside Indian Territory.
“The agreement is poised to give a fillip to usher in a new era of peace in the North East in general and Manipur in particular,” the Union Ministry of Home Affairs stated. It elaborated that the agreement will not only bring an end to hostilities between UNLF and security forces which have claimed precious lives on both sides over the last more than half a century but also provide an opportunity to address the longstanding concerns of the community.
The return of UNLF to the mainstream will also encourage other valley-based armed groups to participate in the peace process in due course, the Ministry stated.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while welcoming UNLF to the democratic processes, pointed out that as per the vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Government of India had signed agreements with several armed groups of the North East region since 2014 to end militancy and promote development.
– global bihari bureau
