Revised SoO Agreement Upholds Manipur’s Territorial Integrity

Kuki-Zo Council Opens NH-02; Tripartite SoO Agreement Signed in New Delhi

In a significant breakthrough for peace and stability in Manipur, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has announced its decision to open National Highway-02 for the free movement of commuters and essential goods. The decision, which comes after a series of meetings held in New Delhi between officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and representatives of the KZC, is expected to ease the hardships faced by the people of the state. The KZC has also assured full cooperation with security forces deployed by the Government of India to ensure peace along the crucial highway.

Alongside this development, a tripartite meeting was convened in the national capital involving the MHA, the Government of Manipur, and representatives of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF). The discussions culminated in the signing of a renewed Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement, which will remain valid for one year. The re-negotiated terms of the agreement underline the commitment to uphold the territorial integrity of Manipur and to pursue a negotiated solution that can bring long-lasting peace and stability to the state.

Under the revised terms, both the KNO and UPF agreed to a set of confidence-building measures aimed at reducing tensions in sensitive areas. These measures include relocating seven designated camps away from conflict-prone zones, reducing the overall number of designated camps, and ensuring that weapons are shifted to the nearest CRPF or BSF camps. The agreement also calls for stringent physical verification of cadres by security forces to identify and remove foreign nationals, if any, from the rolls.

To oversee the implementation of these provisions, a Joint Monitoring Group has been tasked with keeping a close watch on the enforcement of the ground rules. Officials made it clear that any violations of the agreement will be dealt with strictly, and the terms of the SoO will be subject to review if necessary.

The opening of NH-02 and the fresh SoO agreement are being viewed as crucial steps towards restoring normalcy in Manipur, where prolonged unrest has disrupted the movement of goods and passengers. Authorities and stakeholders expressed hope that these measures would ease tensions, improve law and order, and lay the foundation for a more durable peace process in the region.