Manipur’s oldest valley-based armed group, which has been fighting for a sovereign land since the merger of the erstwhile kingdom with India, has finally laid down its weapons after six decades of guerilla warfare against central and state forces. This marks a significant step towards lasting peace in Manipur, a state that shares a border with junta-ruled Myanmar and serves as India’s main surface transport gateway to Southeast Asia.
The tripartite peace deal between the Centre, the state government, and the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) was announced on Wednesday. Home Minister Amit Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development policies for the northeast as a key factor in weakening insurgencies in Manipur and other parts of the region.
The UNLF, once led by Imphal-based social activist RK Meghen, split into two factions after his departure. The peace agreement described the UNLF as a “valley-based” armed group, referring to its origins in the state capital Imphal valley and other non-hill districts. At least 25 hill-based insurgent groups are already part of a tripartite peace deal called the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement.
In recent months, Manipur has experienced ethnic clashes between the hill-majority Kuki tribes and the valley-majority Meiteis over various issues, including land disputes and the distribution of affirmative action policies for Scheduled Tribes. These clashes have resulted in over 180 deaths and thousands of internally displaced people.
The UNLF, formed in November 1964, aimed to secede from India and form an alliance with China to gradually capture political power. It established its armed wing, the Manipur Peoples’ Army (MPA), in February 1990. The UNLF split into two factions due to internal differences and currently has an estimated 400-500 personnel with over 500 weapons.
The UNLF’s organisational structure consists of a chairman, central committee, military affairs committee, and standing committee. All of the UNLF’s camps are located in Myanmar, and it has close links with other valley-based armed groups through the Coordination Committee (CorCom).
The UNLF’s areas of operation include all valley districts of Manipur and some Kuki and Vapiphei dominated villages in the hill districts. Its camps, training centers, hideouts, and safehouses are located in the Sagaing region of Chin State and Rakhine State in Myanmar. The UNLF has been able to operate freely in Myanmar due to its connections with military officials. However, recent attacks by pro-democracy civil militia groups have led to heavy losses for the UNLF’s Koireng faction.
The UNLF has also used front organizations to influence public issues and mobilize protests. In 2020, senior leaders of the UNLF responded favorably to the Centre’s offer to join the mainstream. More than 400 personnel and an equal number of weapons have joined the peace process, which is expected to have a significant impact on the security situation in Manipur and the northeast region. Other armed outfits have also expressed their willingness to join the peace process soon.
The disarmament and return of the UNLF to the mainstream provide an opportunity to address the longstanding concerns of Manipur and work towards a more peaceful and stable future for the state.
