MHA approves ₹28.99 cr for Pambei-led UNLF camp
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 17 2025: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reportedly approved Rs 28.99 crore under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) for construction of designated camps for the Pambei-led UNLF, which had signed peace agreement with the government on November 29, 2023 .

Source said that during the signing of the peace deal, proposal for construction of six designated camps were made, out of which two were approved.

The proposed sites were Ingourok and Nongshum in Imphal East district, Kakching Khunou in Kakching, Phayeng in Imphal West, Saiton in Bishnupur and another in Jiribam district.

However, MHA approved Kakching Khunou and Ingourok under the name 'Peace Camp' with capacity to house 300 to 400 cadres.

Approval for the remaining four locations is pending.

The source further said that 2500 registered cadres were acknowledged in the peace deal and the two camps will only house up to 400 cadres.

For the pending locations, the organisation is setting up temporary camps under verbal agreement till the approval is granted.

Clarifying on the report of a national newspaper regarding the matter, which was also reported in some Imphal-based media, the source said that the report lacks clarity and details leading to confusion.

The source said that Manipur Police Housing Corporation issued tender notice for project worth a little over Rs 11 crore, which include Rs 3.45 crore for pre-fabricated houses at Kakching Khunou and Rs 7.72 crore for construction of semi pucca houses at the same location.

On the other hand, the source said, ceasefire came into effect the moment the peace agreement was signed and the organisation should not be treated as unlawful.

The agreement has no timeframe limit.

Some of the key points in the agreement is to refrain from extortion activities, and movement with arms (prior information if required).

Until and unless the organisation members Violate the ground rules, they cannot be arrested as per the agreement.

The government formed a 'Peace Monitoring Committee' led by the chief secretary to oversee if the ground rules are upheld.

The committee has commissioner (home), DGP, ADGP, deputy director (IB), IGAR (S), IGAR (E), GOC 57th Mountain Division, IG CRPF, DIG BSF and three representatives of the organisation (UNLF) as members.

The committee has been holding monthly meeting regularly since the signing of the agreement, the source added.

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