Manipur insurgent group UNLF signs peace pact, Amit Shah says historic milestone

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.”

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.

 

A historic milestone achieved!!!

Modi govt’s relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the Northeast have added a new chapter of fulfilment as the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) signed a peace agreement, today in New Delhi.

UNLF, the oldest valley-based armed… pic.twitter.com/AiAHCRIavy

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 29, 2023

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.”

 

The oldest armed group of Manipur has chosen the path of peace, renouncing violence to join the mainstream and embrace democracy. The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has signed a peace agreement in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in our relentless pursuit of… pic.twitter.com/aBmkU0D9NT

— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) November 29, 2023

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.