In a major development aimed at restoring normalcy in Manipur, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has agreed to reopen National Highway-02 (NH-02) for the free movement of commuters and essential goods. The decision follows a series of meetings held in New Delhi between representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and a KZC delegation. The council has also pledged full cooperation with Government of India–deployed Security Forces to maintain peace and order along the highway corridor.
Simultaneously, a tripartite meeting was held in the capital between the MHA, the Government of Manipur, and representatives of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF). The meeting concluded with the signing of a renewed Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement, outlining updated ground rules. The agreement comes into immediate effect and will remain valid for one year.
Key provisions of the revised agreement include:
- Reaffirmation of Manipur's territorial integrity.
- A commitment to negotiated solutions aimed at achieving long-term peace and stability.
Further commitments made by KNO and UPF under the revised terms include:
- Relocation of seven designated camps from conflict-prone areas.
- Reduction in the total number of designated camps.
- Transfer of weapons to the nearest CRPF/BSF camps for secure storage.
- Thorough physical verification of cadres by Security Forces to identify and remove any foreign nationals.
A Joint Monitoring Group will be tasked with strictly overseeing the enforcement of the revised ground rules. Any violations of the agreement will be met with firm action, including the possibility of revisiting or withdrawing the SoO arrangement.
This move marks a crucial step towards easing tensions in Manipur, restoring connectivity along a vital lifeline, and fostering a climate conducive to peaceful dialogue and long-term resolution.
