Days earlier, sources close to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had said the state government was on the verge of arriving at a peace settlement with the group.
The United National Liberation Front (UNLF), an Imphal valley-based insurgent group, Wednesday signed a peace agreement in New Delhi.
Calling it a “historic milestone”, Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on X: “Modi govt’s relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the Northeast have added a new chapter of fulfilment as the UNLF signed a peace agreement, today in New Delhi. UNLF, the oldest valley-based armed group of Manipur, has agreed to renounce violence and join the mainstream. I welcome them to the democratic processes and wish them all the best in their journey on the path of peace and progress.”
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He added that the peace agreement signed today marks the end of a six-decade-long armed movement. “It is a landmark achievement in realising PM @narendramodi Ji’s vision of all-inclusive development and providing a better future to the youths in Northeast India,” Amit Shah said.
In a post on X, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, “The oldest armed group of Manipur has chosen the path of peace, renouncing violence to join the mainstream and embrace democracy.”
Days earlier, sources close to Biren Singh had said the state government was on the verge of arriving at a peace settlement with the group. At a Constitution Day event in Imphal on Sunday, Singh too had said peace talks were at an advanced stage.
Informal talks had started last year, long before the ongoing ethnic strife in the state broke out on May 3, sources said. The breakthrough is significant because until now, no valley-based Meitei insurgent group had ever come to an agreement with the Centre or even participated in peace talks.
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First published on: 29-11-2023 at 17:40 IST
Aisha Patel is a dedicated Indian correspondent with a deep understanding of the nation’s diverse affairs. With a background in Indian culture, politics, and current events, she provides in-depth analysis and timely reporting on domestic issues within India.
