UNLF signs historic peace deal
In a landmark development, the Government of India and the Manipur Government signed a historic peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest armed group in Manipur. The signing ceremony took place in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Commending the peace pact, Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed that the relentless efforts of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to establish enduring peace in the Northeast have reached a significant milestone with this agreement.
In an X (formerly Twitter) post, Amit Shah stated, “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 realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of all-inclusive development and providing a better future to the youths in Northeast India.”
The agreement is poised to bring about a new era of peace, especially in Manipur and the broader Northeast region.
Under the leadership of PM Modi and guided by Amit Shah, the Government of India has been actively signing agreements with various armed groups in the Northeast since 2014, aiming to put an end to militancy and promote development.
This marks a historic moment as a valley-based Manipuri armed group has chosen to return to the mainstream, renouncing violence and committing to uphold the Constitution of India and the laws of the land. The agreement not only concludes hostilities between UNLF and security forces, which have claimed lives on both sides for over half a century, but also opens avenues to address the longstanding concerns of the community.
The reintegration of UNLF into mainstream society is expected to set a positive precedent, encouraging other valley-based armed groups to participate in the peace process in the future.
