Delhi brokers 'pact': SoO extended, NHs thrown open
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 04 2025: While a decision to open National Highway-2 was taken, the "contentious" Suspension of Operations (SoO)--a tripartite agreement between the Government of India, Government of Manipur and Kuki militants groups, KNO and UPF has been extended in New Delhi today.

The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF) are the umbrella groups of many armed militant outfits.

"KNO and UPF as well as their constituents shall completely abjure the path of violence and abide by the Constitution of India, laws of the land, and territorial integrity of Manipur," read the Preamble of the SoO agreement signed in New Delhi today.

While the extension of the SoO agreement is clearly a win for the Kuki militant groups, it has been perceived as a deal that undermines "peaceful coexistence and territorial integrity of Manipur".

Even though the agreement's Preamble has a mention for the Kuki militant organisations to respect the territorial integrity of Manipur, many communities including the Meitei and civil bodies see the SoO militants as a force "backing and implementing" the demand for a Separate Administration, carved out of Manipur.

Representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of Manipur, and KNO and UPF met for the tripartite meeting in New Delhi.

Simultaneously, a meeting between officials of the MHA and a delegation of Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) in New Delhi agreed to open the National Highway-2.The decision to open the Highway came after a series of meetings.

The KZC has given commitment to cooperate with "security forces deployed by the Government of India" to maintain peace along NH-2.It agreed to open the Highway for free movement of commuters and essential goods.

This is one up from the 'free movement from March 8 call' given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the earlier part of the year.

That call was however pushed back by the Kuki-Zo people.

Meanwhile, the SoO agreement with the Kuki militant groups was signed on "re-negotiated terms and ground rules".

The tripartite 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, said the Press Information Bureau.

Among other provisions, the revised ground rules reiterated: i) The territorial integrity of Manipur, ii) Need for a negotiated solution to bring lasting peace and stability to the State of Manipur.

The KNO and UPF have also agreed to:
Relocate seven designated camps away from areas vulnerable to conflict
Reduce the number of designated camps
Relocate weapons to nearest CRPF/BSF camps

Stringent physical verification of cadres by security forces to de-list foreign Nationals, if any.

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, said the agreement, as per the PIB.

The Preamble of the SoO agreement and Basic Princi-ples/Ground Rules have been reproduced below--

Extension of SoO Agreement with KNO and UPF based on revised agreed Ground Rules 2025

Preamble

Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement between Anny, and constituents of KNO and UPF was in force since August 1, 2005.It was agreed between Government of India/Gol, Government of Manipur/GoM, and KNO and UPF to formalize the arrangement as tripartite SoO Agreement with effect from August 22, 2008.The Agreed Ground Rules were revised and the SoO Agreement was extended with KNO and UPF from time to time until it expired on February 29, 2024.In view of the serious law & order and security situation in Manipur since May 3, 2023, it was mutually agreed to review the implementation of the Agreed Ground Rules and revise the same in order to make it more effective and transparent.

KNO and UPF as well as their constituents shall completely abjure the path of violence and abide by the Constitution of India, laws of the land, and territorial integrity of Manipur.

Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement shall be followed by tripartite dialogue with KNO and UPF to pave the way for a negotiated political settlement under the Constitution of India in a time bound manner.

The following basic principles/ground rules were mutually agreed:-

Basic Principles

KNO and UPF as well as their constituents shall not have association either at organizational level or at individual level with any other armed group, within the country or outside.

KNO and UPF as well as their constituents shall not undertake any offensive operations like ambush, raid, sniping and attack leading to death/injury/damage or loss of property, kidnapping, extortion, intimidation, etc.

against Security Forces, other groups and/or the public.

The Security Forces (Army/Assam Rifles, Central Armed Police Forces and the State Police) shall not launch operations against KNO and UPF as well as their constituents as long as they abide by this Agreement.

Notably, the SoO agreement has been extended at a time when there is no popular Government in Manipur, and amid growing demand for its abrogation from different sections of the communities and civil bodies including the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC), and Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) etc .

Significantly, the Government led by ex-Chief Minister N Biren Singh before the imposition of President's Rule (PR) had decided to scrap the SoO agreement in 2023.A State Cabinet decision abrogating the SoO agreement with some outfits was taken on March 10, 2023 .

Later, the State Legislative Assembly had also adopted a unanimous resolution against the SoO agreement on February 29, 2024, urging the Government of India to abrogate it.

The Cabinet decision and the Assembly resolution were taken amid growing suspicion of violation of ground rules and the SoO militants' involvement in the Manipur conflict since May 3, 2023 .

On the afternoon of May 3, 2023 at the border area between Churachandpur and Bishnupur, men armed with assault rifles were seen embedded among Kuki protesters.

The images of assault riflewielding men went viral on social media and it was widely published by many papers.

Most significantly, the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) had named a SoO militant leader for his and his men's "direct involvement" in the conflict.

Armed with assault rifles, KNO cadres led by its Deputy Commander-in-Chief Thenthang Haokip "actively participated" in the violence at Torbung-Bangla, targeting civilians on May 3, 2023, TIM had asserted on September 1, 2025 .

This was revealed after suspected SoO militants brutally tortured and killed Nehkam Jomhao, a Thadou leader in Manja, Assam on August 30 .

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