The government’s talks with Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with New Delhi are moving closer to a deal that would allow free movement of people and goods across Manipur. This is seen as a key step toward restoring peace and normal life in the state, which has been affected by violence for over two years.
Since ethnic clashes began in May 2023, the Meitei community has stayed mostly in the Imphal Valley, while the Kukis have been in the surrounding hills. Because of the violence, each community avoided areas controlled by the other, and it became very difficult to travel or move goods between these regions.
When President’s Rule was imposed in February, Union Home Minister Amit Shah promised that free movement would resume by March 8. But the plan hit a roadblock when some Kuki groups opposed it and a state transport bus traveling from the Valley to the hills was fired upon in Kangpokpi.
However, sources say that free movement is still a top priority for the government and a breakthrough might happen soon.
A Home Ministry official said, “Discussions are ongoing with the SoO groups. We are hopeful an agreement will be reached soon. Everyone’s concerns are being taken into account, and the SoO groups are not completely against it. This would be a big step in bringing normalcy back. It’s very important for people from the Valley to be able to travel through the hills and vice versa.”
Officials also noted that violence has decreased since President’s Rule began, making the situation better for talks. They pointed out positive signs, like a Meitei group recently asking for safe passage for relatives of a Kuki victim from a recent Air India crash. Also, the Kukis allowed Meitei civilians to travel through their areas during the Shirui Lily festival without disruption.
There is also progress in talks about moving some militant camps away from the edges of the Valley — a major demand of the Meiteis. While many of the 14 SoO camps are deep in the hills, a few are near the Valley, and Meitei groups accuse them of being bases for attacks (which the Kukis deny).
A Ministry official said, “We are discussing options like shifting camps farther away or combining smaller camps into larger ones.”
The government doesn’t expect Meitei groups to oppose free movement since they have been heavily affected by the restrictions. For example, Meitei civilians currently can only leave Manipur by air because road access through the hills is blocked. When Amit Shah announced the March 8 deadline for free movement, some Meitei groups planned a march to the hills, which upset the Kukis and led to the bus attack, stalling the process.
Meanwhile, the government is also setting up camps for the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), one of the oldest militant groups in the Valley, following a peace deal in November 2023. Officials said ID cards for UNLF members who will stay in these camps are almost ready. This is part of the government’s broader efforts to restore peace and start talks with all groups involved in the conflict.
