Shah hails peace pact with Manipur outfit
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 29 2023:
In a historic development, the Government of India and the Government of Manipur officially signed a Peace Agreement with the oldest armed group in Manipur, in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The armed group, established in 1964, has operated both within and outside the Indian Territory.
The Government of India is anticipating to herald a new era of peace in the North East, particularly in Manipur from the peace agreement.
According to news agencies, Union home minister Amit Shah, hailed the agreement as a historic milestone.
In his social media posts, the home minister emphasised that this achievement aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of inclusive development and a brighter future for the youth in Northeast India.
Amit Shah welcomed the armed group to the democratic processes and extended best wishes for their journey towards peace and progress.
The Government of India has been actively signing agreements with various armed groups in the North East region since 2014.The goal is to put an end to militancy and foster development in the region.
While political settlements have been reached with numerous ethnic armed groups in the North East as part of the conflict resolution initiatives of the Government of India, this marks the first instance of a Manipuri armed group opting to return to mainstream life.
The group has reportedly committed to renounce violence and uphold the Constitution of India and the laws of the land.
The agreement aims not only to cease hostilities between the armed group and security forces, which have resulted in casualties on both sides over the last half-century, but also to address the longstanding concerns of the community.
It is anticipated that the reintegration of the armed group into the mainstream will serve as an encouragement for other armed groups to participate in the peace process in the future.
A Peace Monitoring Committee (PMC) will be established to oversee the enforcement of agreed ground rules.
This development is expected to be a significant stride toward restoring peace and normalcy in the state.
The signing ceremony took place in New Delhi, with senior officials from the union ministry of home affairs, the Government of Manipur, and representatives of the armed group.