Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest militant group active in Manipur, has decided to lay down its arms. The organisation signed a peace agreement with the government on Wednesday and agreed to give up violence. This agreement is going to usher in a new era of peace in the entire North-East, especially Manipur. UNLF is the oldest armed group based in Imphal Valley in Manipur.
The Union Home Minister said, “A historic milestone. The tireless efforts of the Modi government to establish lasting peace in the North-East have added a new chapter of fulfilment as the United National Liberation Front signed a peace agreement in New Delhi today The UNLF, Manipur’s oldest valley-based armed group, has agreed to give up violence and join the mainstream. I welcome him into the democratic process and wish him all the best in his journey on the path of peace and progress.”
A historic milestone achieved!!!
Modi govt’s relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the Northeast have added a new chapter of fulfilment as the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) signed a peace agreement, today in New Delhi.
UNLF, the oldest valley-based armed… pic.twitter.com/AiAHCRIavy
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 29, 2023
Shah further said that the peace agreement with the UNLF by the Government of India and the Government of Manipur marks the end of the six decade long-armed movement. “This is a historic achievement towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of all-inclusive development and providing a better future to the youth in North-East India.”
Big success after May 3 violence
Let us tell you that after the outbreak of caste violence in the state on May 3, this is the first time that a banned organisation in the valley has held peace talks with the government. On November 13, the Union Home Ministry had extended the ban on eight “Meitei extremist organisations” under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and declared them as “unlawful organisations”. UNLF was also included in these banned groups.
Tribunal will decide on a ban on extremist groups
However, a few days later, on 26 November, Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh announced that the state government was on the verge of signing a historic peace accord with the UNLF. On Tuesday, the Home Ministry announced that a tribunal has been constituted to decide whether there are sufficient grounds to impose a ban on Manipur’s Meitei militant groups and whether the ban should continue. Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi of Gauhati High Court is included in this committee. Who will decide whether there were sufficient grounds to declare the groups an “unlawful association” and ban them.
Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated the Center
At the same time, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated the Central Government regarding this. “The UNLF peace agreement is a historic milestone, set to promote peace and progress in the North East. It reflects the leadership of the Hon’ble Home Minister, guided by the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he wrote in the post on Twitter. This is an unwavering commitment to promote complete stability in the region.
The UNLF peace agreement stands as a historic milestone, set to invigorate peace and progress in the North East. It reflects Hon HM Shri @AmitShah ji's unwavering commitment to fostering complete stability in the region, guided by the leadership of Hon PM Shri @narendramodi ji. https://t.co/Ky5ZFtikAH
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 29, 2023
Know about UNLF
United National Liberation Front (UNLF) is also known as United National Liberation Front of Manipur. It is a separatist rebel group active in Manipur state of North-East India. Its objective is to establish a sovereign and socialist Manipur.
UNLF was established on 24 November 1964. UNLF President RK Meghan alias Sana Yaima has been accused by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of “waging war” against India. However, the UNLF leader says that he does not see India or its army as the enemy. UNLF only opposes Indians.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) acknowledged in September 2012 that the United National Liberation Front’s activities were aimed at bringing sovereignty to the state of Manipur. UNLF Chief Sana Yaima believes that Manipur is under martial law. He had questioned the character and merit of the elections held in Manipur. He believes that the most democratic means to resolve this conflict is a referendum.
