Kuki rebel groups to close seven camps near Meitei-dominated areas in Manipur

The meeting held in New Delhi, however, remained short of reaching an agreement on resumption of communication on two national highways passing through Kuki areas and extension of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with the rebel groups.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hindustan Times

2 days ago

• Hindustan Times

CRPF, BSF to guard Manipur farmers: Official

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel have begun implementing security measures in agricultural fields in the foothills of Manipur, similar to those used in Punjab and West Bengal where security forces guard farmers at border villages, officials said on Friday. CRPF, BSF to guard Manipur farmers: Official The development comes a day after Meitei farmers were attacked on Thursday by gunmen from the hills, with one of them sustaining bullet injuries. The incident triggered a heavy exchange of fire between security forces and the assailants. A Kuki woman was struck by a stray bullet in the crossfire and later succumbed to her injuries. 'We identified sensitive locations at the foothills where there are farming fields. Personnel from security forces are with the farmers in the valley to ensure that there are no clashes,' a senior officer aware of the matter said on condition of anonymity. 'Orders have been issued for the security forces, primarily CRPF, to remain on guard in the hills too. They will ensure that there are no armed people hiding. On both sides of the hills and the valley, there are personnel of the Manipur police along with the paramilitary forces.' Another reason behind the posting of security personnel at these flash points stems from the ongoing talks between Kuki insurgent groups under Suspension of Operations (SoO) and the Centre over the renewal of the peace pact. Earlier this month, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) resumed talks with the insurgent groups and are discussing new ground rules before taking a call on renewing the peace agreement, which has been strongly objected by Meitei groups. The tripartite SoO agreement –– signed by the Centre, the Manipur government and Kuki militant groups in August 2008 –– has been renewed every year until February 28, 2023, when it was kept in abeyance. The renewal process was halted over allegations against cadres of SoO groups indulging in ethnic clashes in Manipur and training village defence volunteers. The SoO groups have denied both charges. Just last week, clashes erupted between Meitei and Kuki communities in the same foothill area as farmers went to a land that Kukis said belonged to them. 'It is a coincidence that it is the rice sowing season and talks are also ongoing. Farmers will have to go to their fields near the foothills, which is a vulnerable area. There will be groups trying to politicise the situation by fuelling violence, so, the government is providing security to the farmers,' the officer cited above said, adding that the move is a precautionary measure. Following Thursday's attack, Meitei umbrella group COCOMI demanded adequate security for farmers in the foothills. 'This appears to be a deliberate act of provocation an attempt to instil fear among farmers and destabilize peace in the valley. Our farmers must be protected, not persecuted,' COCOMI convener Khujairam Athouba said. 'The current security line must be shifted to ensure this. Deployment of two additional companies for regular mobile patrolling is necessary, while existing static posts must remain in place. The affected farming areas must be declared a 'No Arms Zone' with shoot-at-sight orders against any unauthorized armed intruders to deter further attacks.'

Indian Express

3 days ago

• Indian Express

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.

New Indian Express

3 days ago

• New Indian Express

MHA persuades Kuki-Zo groups to relocate seven Suspension of Operations camps near Meitei-dominated areas

NEW DELHI: Officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) held a meeting with insurgent Kuki-Zo groups and persuaded them to relocate and shut down seven designated camps under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement that are located near Meitei-dominated areas, sources said. They added that the MHA officials also stressed the recovery of looted weapons and the reopening of National Highways. Notably, security agencies on the ground in Manipur had earlier proposed the closure of seven out of 14 existing camps situated close to Meitei-inhabited areas in the Valley, the sources said. A source familiar with the talks said, 'The second round of talks was held earlier this week, where the two sides reached an understanding on the closure and relocation of at least seven SoO camps located close to Meitei-populated zones.' He, however, clarified that there was no discussion on the extension of the SoO agreement, as the talks primarily focused on revising the ground rules, which is seen as a more immediate priority.