GoI and Manipur Government Signs Peace Agreement With UNLF

Context: This article is based on an Editorial  “Manipur: UNLF faction says peace talks with govt a death trap, betrayal of people” which was published in the economic times. Recently, the Union and Manipur governments signed a peace agreement with UNLF (United National Liberation Front).

What is the significance of the signed peace agreement with UNLF?

• Ending Hostilities: The agreement will cease hostilities between UNLF and security forces.
• Constitution of Peace Monitoring Committee (PMC): To oversee the enforcement of the rules. 
• Factions Joining Agreement: The peace pact has been joined by around 65 cadres of one of the factions of the UNLF, led by K. Pambei.
• Historic Transition: For the first time, a valley-based Manipuri armed group has agreed to return to the mainstream by abjuring violence and agreeing to honor the Constitution of India.
• Reduction in Violence: The central government has signed peace agreements with several northeastern insurgents/rebels, enabling a decline of 73% in violent incidents, 72% in fatalities of security forces, and 86% in civilian killings during 2014-23.

What are the reasons behind the rise of insurgency in Manipur?

• Demand for an Independent State by the militant organizations.
• Spillover Effect from Nagaland.
• Emergence of Kuki Insurgent Groups in reaction to Naga aggression against the Kukis. 
• Emergence of Smaller Insurgent groups such as Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), People’s United Liberation Front (PULF) and other splinter groups.

What factors contributed to the rise of insurgency in Manipur?

• The Policy Polarisation: As Kuki-Zo and Naga communities can buy land in the valley, but the Meiteis cannot buy land in the hills. 
• Ethnic Cleansing: The region has seen multiple inter-ethnic conflicts — Kuki-Naga, Meitei-Muslim, Kuki-Karbi, Hmar-Dimasa, and even Kuki-Tamil clashes.
• Racial Discrimination: Hate crimes against people from Northeast India in metros are treated as isolated incidents and they are neglected in policy discourse.
• Influx of Refugees: The rise of Meitei nationalism and insurgency has been influenced by the influx of refugees from Myanmar. 
• Development Deficit: Underdevelopment of tribal districts are also a reason for insurgency. 
• Other Factors: Government actions, including crackdowns on poppy cultivation in the hill districts and addressing “illegal settlements” in these areas is another factor behind insurgency.

What are the impacts of insurgency?

• Provocation of anti-national sentiments by various groups on various occasions such as August 15th or January 26th. 
• Influencing Public Opinion, as observed in the previous Assembly election, the KNO president instructed voters to support the BJP and significantly swayed the electorate in favor of the party.
• Deterioration of Law and Order creates concerns of fringe elements becoming active.
• Shelter to Illegal Refugees, due to the fear of persecution in their country by the military junta.

What measures has the government implemented to counter insurgency?

• Imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA): In 1980, the Centre declared Manipur a “disturbed area” and imposed AFSPA to suppress the insurgency movement.
• Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement: Various peace talks led to a tripartite SoO agreement between the Centre, the state, and the Kuki-Zomi groups in 2008.
• Ceasefire Agreement: In 1997, it was agreed between the Centre and the NSCN-IM.
• Suspension of Operation (SoO) Pact: It was signed on August 22, 2008 by the Kuki outfits with the Centre and Manipur Government. 

Way Forward: 

• Prevention of insurgent activities by strict vigilance.
• Voluntary Surrender related concerted and deliberate operations must be launched. 
• Enroll and Invite the Youth for Talks to ensure Manipur returns to normalcy faster.
• A Collaborative Approach by various stakeholders to restore normalcy in Manipur.
• Unified Command structure is required to bring Manipur out of the state of insurgency.
• Border management with Myanmar, especially for illegal immigration and drug menace. 
• Integrated development policy with a consensus among various tribes of the region.

Conclusion:

The recent peace agreement with UNLF (United National Liberation Front)  in Manipur marks a significant step towards ending hostilities, fostering historic transitions, and reducing insurgency-related violence, underlining the need for sustained collaborative efforts in conflict resolution.