UNLF

1. UNLF, the oldest valley-based armed group in Manipur, has signed a tripartite peace agreement.
2. The agreement involves the central government, state government, and UNLF, concluding a six-decade-long armed movement.
3. Home Minister Amit Shah highlights the historic achievement, aligning with PM Modi’s vision of inclusive development in the northeast. 

Imphal, Nov 30: Manipur’s oldest valley-based armed group, the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), has signed a tripartite peace agreement with the central government and the state government, marking the end of a six-decade-long armed movement.

Home Minister Amit Shah announced the historic agreement, emphasizing its significance in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive development in northeast India. The UNLF, once led by RK Meghen, has been fighting for a sovereign Manipur and considered the merger of the pre-independence Manipur kingdom with India.

The peace deal is a major regional achievement and aligns with the government’s efforts to bring about lasting peace. The descriptor “valley-based” indicates that the UNLF originated in Imphal Valley, distinguishing it from hill-based insurgent groups already under a tripartite peace deal. The signing of the agreement is a positive development, contributing to the overall stability of Manipur.

The UNLF, with bases in the jungles of Myanmar, played a significant role in Manipur’s insurgency. Still, with the state’s rapid development and major infrastructure projects, including railway lines, the region has gradually moved away from its insurgency-ridden past.

The signing of the peace agreement is seen as a historic milestone, and experts believe it could contribute to the strategic stability of the border state, often considered India’s gateway to Southeast Asia.

Also Read: Allu Arjun, Jr NTR, and Families Exercise Voting Rights in Telangana Elections

Home Minister Amit Shah welcomed the UNLF to the democratic processes, expressing hope for their peaceful and progressive journey.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh acknowledged the support and vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a brighter and peaceful northeast, emphasizing the collaborative effort’s potential contribution to a harmonious and prosperous future for Manipur and the region.

The UNLF’s agreement has been one of the most significant peace deals in the northeast since 2015 when the Nagaland-based NSCN(IM) signed a framework agreement for peace with the government, marking a historic step toward ushering in the state.