Govt-Kuki talks heading towards free movement deal in Manipur

Government negotiations with Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with New Delhi are inching towards an agreement on allowing free movement of people and goods across Manipur — a crucial step towards re-establishing peace and normalcy in the strife-torn state, The Indian Express has learnt.
Since the onset of ethnic violence in May 2023, Meiteis and Kukis have been geographically separated with the former confined to the Imphal Valley and the latter retreating to the hill areas. During the two-year-long violence, areas dominated by one community had become no-go zones for the other. Movement of goods, too, had been difficult.
Following the imposition of President's Rule this February, free movement was among the first key announcements made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who set a deadline for March 8. However, opposition from Kuki groups and firing on a state transport bus plying from the Valley to the hills in Kangpokpi put the initiative on the backburner.
According to sources, free movement in the state has been among the primary goals of the Centre, and a breakthrough may be achieved soon.
'The matter is under discussion with SoO groups. We are hopeful it (an agreement) will be achieved soon. The concerns of all sides are being addressed and SoO groups have indicated they are not entirely opposed to the idea. This will be a major breakthrough in re-establishing normalcy in the state. It is absolutely essential that people from the Valley are able to pass through the hills and those from the hills can come to the Imphal Valley,' a Home Ministry official said.
Sources pointed to a conducive atmosphere for an agreement with a dip in violence since the imposition of President's Rule. The aggression displayed by groups on either side of the divide has mellowed, they said.
An official pointed to the appeal by a Meitei group for safe passage to be provided to relatives of a Kuki who was among two women from Manipur killed in the Air India crash in Ahmedabad. Besides, the official said, Kukis did not disrupt the movement of Meitei civilians through their areas during the recent Shirui Lily festival.
Sources said there has been a positive response from SoO groups during negotiations on pushing back their camps from the Valley's fringes — a longstanding demand of Meiteis. While many of the 14 SoO group camps are stationed in the interiors of the hill areas, some are located near the Valley. Meitei groups have alleged that these camps have been used to launch attacks in the Valley, a charge denied by Kukis.
'Various modalities are being discussed currently. One is shifting them back. The other is clubbing some smaller camps and bringing them together in a large camp,' a Ministry official said.
Government sources said they do not expect opposition from Meitei groups on free movement since they were among those who 'suffered the most' after movement across the hills was restricted.
'For instance, today, a Meitei civilian can only fly out of Manipur since all roads across the hills are out of bounds. This has also disrupted the flow of goods into the Valley. When the Home Minister announced a deadline of March 8 for resuming free movement, Meitei groups had announced a march to the hills. This was seen as provocative by the Kukis at the time, leading to gunfire on the state transport bus in Kangpokpi, bringing the initiative to a halt,' they said.
The Government, meanwhile, is also erecting camps for UNLF, one of the oldest militant groups in the Valley, following the peace deal sealed in November 2023. Sources said the Government is also preparing ID cards for UNLF cadres who will stay in these camps.
'The process is nearing completion and very soon they will be in the camps. This was part of the Government's efforts to gradually re-establish peace in the state and begin the process of talks with groups on either side of the divide,' sources said.

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