The Central government on Tuesday signed a peace agreement with a Manipur insurgent group, which agreed to give up violence and join the peaceful democratic process.

The tripartite agreement was signed by the Centre, Manipur government and the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) rebel group, which mostly operated in Manipur.

The banned group, active for a decade, has been demanding a separate State for the Zeliangrong Naga tribe. The armed group has said in statements earlier that they are the followers of Rani Gaidinliu, a freedom fighter from Manipur, who was jailed by the British for 14 years.

In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said “fulfilling the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of an ‘insurgency-free and prosperous Northeast’ and under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the government of India and the government of Manipur entered into a cessation of operation agreement in New Delhi with ZUF that had been active for more than a decade.”

“This will be a significant boost to the peace process in Manipur. The agreement was signed by officials of the home ministry and the government of Manipur and representatives of the ZUF in presence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh,” the MHA said.

“Representatives of the armed group agreed to abjure violence and join the peaceful democratic process as established by the law of the land. The agreement provides for the rehabilitation and resettlement of the armed cadres. A joint monitoring group will be constituted to oversee enforcement of the agreed ground rules,” the MHA added.

Chief minister Biren Singh tweeted: “In yet another milestone, the Government of India & the Government of Manipur signed a ‘Cessation of Operation’ Agreement, New Delhi, with Zeliangrong United Front... This will be a significant boost to the peace process in Manipur.”

“Thankful to Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji for fulfilling the vision of ‘Insurgency free and prosperous North East. Also, thankful to Hon’ble HM @AmitShah Ji for ensuring that the armed insurgents of the region return to the mainstream,” he said in another tweet.

Image source: Twitter