Manipur Breakthrough ::: Kuki-Zo Council decides to open National Highway-02 for "free movement of commuters & essential goods" :: SoO pact also inked

 In a significant decision, the Kuki-Zo Council decides to open the National Highway-02 for the free movement of commuters and essential goods

The decision came after a series of meetings between officials in the Union Home Ministry and a delegation of Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) in the last few days in New Delhi.

A tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement also inked on re-negotiated terms and conditions.

Notably all these happened when security measures have been tightened in Manipur for the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi before mid-September.

This will be Modi's first visit since ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kukis (Zo) people in the state since May 2023. 

The Prime Minister earlier avoided election campaign in Manipur (2024) and also Mizoram in 2023 (assembly polls) and 2024 parliamentary elections.

Mizos share ethnic bonds with the Kukis and a large number of Kuki and Zo people had to flee Manipur during violence and later accommodated in Mizoram.  

KZC has given commitment to cooperate with security forces deployed by the Govt of India to maintain peace along NH-02

A tripartite meeting among representatives of Home Ministry, the Govt. of Manipur, and Kuki National Organisation/KNO and United People’s Front/UPF also held in the national capital.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement on re-negotiated terms and conditions

.... (ground rules) to be effective from the day of signing of the Agreement for a period of one year

The Kuki-Zo Council has decided today to open the National Highway-02 for the free movement of commuters and essential goods. 

 KZC has given commitment to cooperate with Security Forces deployed by the Govt of India to maintain peace along NH-02.

"Side by side, a tripartite meeting among representatives of MHA, Govt. of Manipur, and Kuki National Organisation/KNO and United People’s Front/UPF was also held at New Delhi today (Sept 4).  The meeting concluded with the signing of a tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement  on re-negotiated terms and conditions (ground rules) to be effective from the day of signing of the Agreement for a period of one year." 

Among other provisions, the revised ground rules reiterated:

The territorial integrity of Manipur.

-- Need for a negotiated solution to bring lasting peace and stability to the State of Manipur.

KNO and UPF have also agreed to:

-- "Relocate seven designated camps away from areas vulnerable to conflict. 

Reduce the number of designated camps. Relocate the weapons with nearest CRPF/BSF camps.

- Stringent physical verification of cadres by Security Forces to de-list foreign nationals, if any. 

And also Joint Monitoring Group will henceforth closely monitor enforcement of ground rules, 

... and violations will be dealt with firmly in future, including review of the SoO Agreement.

ends