Manipur's Oldest Armed Group UNLF Signs Peace Agreement with Centre; Shah Says Historic Milestone

In a historic development, a peace agreement was signed by the Government of India and the Government of Manipur with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest valley-based armed group of Manipur in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Hailing the peace pact, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the Northeast have added a new chapter of fulfilment with the signing of the agreement.

“The peace agreement signed today with the UNLF by the Government of India and the Government of Manipur marks the end of a six-decade-long armed movement. It is a landmark achievement in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of all-inclusive development and providing a better future to the youths in Northeast India,” Amit Shah said in an X (formerly Twitter) post.

The agreement is poised to give a fillip to usher in a new era of peace in the North East in general and Manipur in particular.

As per the vision of PM Modi and under the guidance of Amit Shah, the Government of India has signed agreements with several armed groups in the Northeast region since 2014 to end militancy and promote development.

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This is the first time a valley-based Manipuri armed group has agreed to return to the mainstream by abjuring violence and agreeing to honour the Constitution of India and the laws of the land.

The agreement will not only bring an end to hostilities between UNLF and security forces which have claimed precious lives on both sides over the last more than half a century, but also provide an opportunity to address the longstanding concerns of the community.

The return of UNLF to the mainstream will also encourage other valley-based armed groups to participate in the peace process in due course.