Historic Peace Agreement with UNLF

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Wednesday that the Union and Manipur governments have successfully signed a peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), marking a significant development in Manipur’s history.

What is the UNLF?

Formed on November 24, 1964, the UNLF is the oldest valley-based insurgent group in Manipur. Unlike groups in Naga-dominated and Kuki-Zomi dominated hills, the UNLF sought secession from India. Led by Arembam Samarendra Singh, the group’s central committee included leaders from Naga and Kuki communities. Trained by the NSCN (IM), the UNLF’s armed wing, Manipur People’s Army, was established in 1990.

Current Status and Operations

With approximately 400-500 cadres, the UNLF operates in Manipur’s valley areas and some villages in the Kuki-Zomi hill districts. Despite being banned under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, it operates from bases in Myanmar’s Sagaing Region, Chin state, and Rakhine state, supported by the Myanmar military.

The Festive Offer and Concerns

The UNLF, facing challenges in Myanmar due to attacks by Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) and People’s Defence Forces (PDFs), has shown increased activity in Manipur during the ongoing ethnic conflict. Two factions have reportedly trained around 500 recruits in recent months.

Precedent for Peace Agreement

Valley-based insurgent groups (VBIGs) have not engaged in peace talks before. While the terms of the UNLF agreement are unknown, it marks a significant development. Past groups like UPPK, KCP, and Maoist Communist Group disbanded or became insignificant without clear terms.

UNLF’s History of Splits

The UNLF experienced a formal split in the mid-1990s when N Oken formed the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL). After Samarendra’s assassination in 2000, R K Meghen took over until his arrest in 2010. Khundongbam Pambei became chairman during Meghen’s imprisonment. A recent split in 2021 led to two factions, one led by Pambei and the other by NC Koireng.

Other Meitei Insurgent Groups

While the UNLF is the oldest, other Meitei insurgent groups have emerged over the years. The UNLF, designated as one of the seven “Meitei Extremist Organisations” by the Union government, faces internal divisions. The faction under Koireng opposes talks, while broader agreements, like the Suspension of Operations (SoO) in 2008, have been challenging for other groups in the region.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2023