The United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest militant group in Manipur, signed a peace agreement with the government on Wednesday, marking the end of a six-decade-long armed movement in the state.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi by senior officials of the Union home ministry and government of Manipur and representatives of the UNLF.
“A historic milestone achieved!,” Home Minister Amit Shah said in a post on X as he lauded Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi-led government’s relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the Northeast.
The peace agreement signed today with the UNLF by the Government of India and the Government of Manipur marks the end of a six-decade-long armed movement.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 29, 2023
It is a landmark achievement in realising PM @narendramodi Ji's vision of all-inclusive development and providing a better… pic.twitter.com/P2TUyfNqq1
“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,” Shah said.
“It is a landmark achievement in realising PM Narendra Modi Ji's vision of all-inclusive development and providing a better future to the youths in Northeast India,” he further said.
Earlier this month, the government had extended the ban on the militant group under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for five years.
The UNLF was formed in 1964 and has been operating both within and outside Indian territory.
According to an official statement, the government has signed agreements with several armed groups of the Northeast region since 2014 to end militancy and promote development.
“While political settlements have been finalised with several ethnic armed groups of the North East as part of conflict resolution initiatives of Government of India, it is for the first time a valley-based Manipuri armed group has agreed to return to mainstream by abjuring violence and agreeing to honour the Constitution of India and laws of the land,” the statement issued by the home ministry noted.
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 MHA said.
The ministry also expressed hope that the return of UNLF to the mainstream will also encourage other valley-based armed groups to participate in the peace process in due course.
