Manipur’s oldest armed group, UNLF signs a peace accord and renounces violence

The oldest militant organisation in Manipur, the United National Liberation Front, inked a peace deal with the Centre, according to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday.

“A historic first has been accomplished! In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Shah stated, “The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) signed a peace agreement, today in New Delhi, adding a new chapter of fulfilment to the Modi government’s relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the Northeast.”

The oldest armed group in Manipur, the UNLF, has decided to give up violence and blend in with society. The home minister continued, “I welcome them to the democratic processes and wish them all the best in their journey on the path of peace and progress.”

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Days after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned the UNLF and several other extremist organisations, a peace agreement was reached. The decision was made because the Centre believed that these groups were engaging in activities that were detrimental to India’s sovereignty and integrity, as well as attacks and killings of police, security forces, and civilians in Manipur.

UNLF: What is it?

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In the northeastern state of Manipur, the UNLF is the oldest Meitei insurgent group, having been founded on November 24, 1964, under Areambam Samrendra Singh. In the 70s and the 80s, the group concentrated mainly on mobilisation and recruitment. In 1990, it decided to launch an armed struggle for the ‘liberation’ of Manipur from India. In the same year, it formed an armed wing called the Manipur People’s Army (MPA).