What’s Next for Kuki Militants? Government Meeting Sparks Curiosity
Government Engages with Kuki Militant Leaders
Guwahati: Officials have confirmed that a meeting took place between the government and leaders from four Kuki militant groups in Manipur, with whom a Suspension of Operation agreement was previously established.
A senior official disclosed that this meeting occurred at the Assam Police's Special Branch headquarters located in Kahilipara, Guwahati.
Details regarding the outcomes of this significant meeting remain undisclosed, as participants have chosen to remain silent.
This meeting was convened just two days following the visit of Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan to Manipur.
During his two-day visit, which took place on Monday and Tuesday, Mohan, along with Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka, toured the tribal regions of Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and Imphal East.
On Monday, Mohan and Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla conducted a high-level meeting to address the ongoing border fencing along the India-Myanmar border and the current law and order situation in the state.
According to a Raj Bhavan official, the discussions involved top civil, Army, paramilitary, and security officials, focusing on critical issues such as the border fencing project along the 398-km India-Myanmar border and the state's law and order.
The official noted, 'The review meeting emphasized the progress of border fencing and the maintenance of public order, along with developmental initiatives.'
During his visit, the Union Home Secretary also checked on the welfare of those displaced by violence at several relief camps across three districts.
In a related development last month, several MLAs and leaders from the Kuki-Zo communities convened in Guwahati, urging the Central government to resume negotiations with the Kuki militant groups with whom the Suspension of Operation was previously signed.
The United Peoples' Front and Kuki National Organisation, representing 23 underground groups, entered into a Suspension of Operation agreement with the Central government on August 22, 2008, resulting in 2,266 Kuki militants residing in designated camps throughout Manipur.
At the time of the agreement, the Congress party was in power in Manipur.
Since May 2023, ethnic violence between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the hills-based Kuki-Zo groups has led to over 260 fatalities and left thousands homeless.