In a landmark development for Manipur’s peace efforts, the oldest valley-based armed group, the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), has embraced a peace deal, signaling a significant stride towards lasting stability in the strategic border state.
The Manipur government, led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, orchestrated a ceremonial welcome for the members of the UNLF’s Pambei faction, extending an olive branch and envisioning a future where more groups would engage in the peace process.
At the revered Kangla Palace grounds, a symbol of Manipur’s historical authority, Chief Minister Singh presided over a ceremonial event followed by a communal lunch, symbolizing the collective commitment to peace and reconciliation. Expressing optimism, Singh emphasized the importance of the UNLF’s participation, citing it as a breakthrough achievement, especially considering the organization’s six-decade-long resistance to dialogue.
The UNLF, rooted in the Imphal valley, sought sovereignty for Manipur and historically opposed the merger of the pre-Independence Manipur kingdom with India. However, this embrace of peace, as affirmed by UNLF General Secretary Ch Thanil, marks a pivotal shift toward ensuring enduring stability. Thanil reiterated the group’s commitment to peaceful dialogue and expressed readiness to sign a final agreement if a mutually acceptable solution emerges.
The move towards reconciliation gains significance amidst recent ethnic clashes between the Kuki tribes and the Meiteis, prompting a focus on achieving harmony and resolution.
The descriptor “valley-based” highlights the UNLF’s geographical origin in the Imphal valley, distinct from the hill areas. Notably, multiple hill-based insurgent groups are already part of a tripartite peace deal termed the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement.
Chief Minister Singh, acknowledging the support from the UNLF, the Government of India, and the people of Manipur, hailed this transformative journey as a beacon of hope, emphasizing the strengthening of relationships and the construction of bridges.
This historic accord, the first with a valley-based armed group, assumes significance amid political scrutiny faced by Chief Minister Singh, making it a strategic move ahead of the 2024 general elections. The region’s development, infrastructural advancements, and increased connectivity have contributed to the state shedding its insurgency-ridden past, a key factor behind the waning armed movements against India.
The UNLF’s formation in 1964, subsequent factional divisions, and its armed wing, the Manipur Peoples’ Army (MPA), have historically shaped Manipur’s tumultuous landscape. The recent peace deal marks a paradigm shift in the state’s trajectory, underscoring a collective aspiration for enduring peace.
Amidst recent ethnic violence leading to casualties and internal displacement, this step towards reconciliation signals a hopeful stride toward unity and stability in Manipur’s complex socio-political landscape.
Sources By Agencies
