Peace agreement between Manipur's organization UNLF and the government

On 29 November 2023, the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has signed a peace agreement with the Government of India in New Delhi to establish lasting peace in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur. After the violence in Manipur that has been going on since May this year, good news has come out from this state.

Government extended ban on five militant organizations on 13 November:

• On one hand, the Manipur government was talking to this organization to leave the path of violence, while on the other hand, the central government was maintaining its strict stance on this organization.
• The Home Ministry had extended the ban on five militant organizations on 13 November 2023. The name of United National Liberation Front (UNLF) was also included in these.
• On the 17th day (29 November) of the Home Ministry's decision, the militant organization signed the peace agreement.

United National Liberation Front (UNLF):

• Founded: On November 24, 1964 as a terrorist organization.
• Founder: Arambam Samarendra Singh
• United National Liberation Front is also known as United National Liberation Front of Manipur.
• The UNLF used extortion, arms trade and extortion from large projects to fund its armed movements.
• The basic objective of the UNLF was to establish a sovereign and socialist state.

Angry people of Meitei community formed UNLF:

• Manipur was a princely state during the time of British India. When the country became independent, a government was formed here with the Maharaja of Manipur as the executive head. Manipur became a full state in 1972.
• Even before Manipur became a full-fledged state, such people of the Meitei community were angry over its merger with India.
• The Meitei community had formed the UNLF. As the activities of this organization increased, in 1980 the Center declared the entire Manipur a disturbed area and imposed the AFSPA Act to stop the ongoing rebel movements in the state.
• Amidst all this, the Kuki community formed its own organization in the 90s. After this, caste conflict started in Manipur.

All UNLF members will remain in the camp for three years:

• All members of the militant organization United National Liberation Front (UNLF) will remain in the camps for the next three years.
  • Under the Home Ministry's Revised Scheme for Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation of Militants in North-Eastern States, 2018, each member will be given a one-time financial grant benefit of Rs 4 lakh.
  • This grant will be kept in the bank in their respective names in the form of fixed deposit for 3 years.
  • In this, the condition of surrendering is to stay in a rehabilitation camp for three years.
  • During this period, he will be given a monthly stipend of Rs 6,000 for three years.
• Two years ago, on March 9, 2021, 20 members of various terrorist organizations had laid down arms in Imphal, Manipur. Of the surrendered cadres, 16 were members of the Thadou People's Liberation Army (TPLA). Then two members of the United Liberation Front (UNLF) participated in the surrender. After the surrender of the UNLF, it is expected that the remaining terrorist organizations of the state may also give up their arms and return to the mainstream.

Manipur:

• Capital: Imphal
• Chief Minister: N Biren Singh
• Governor: Ms. Anusuiya Uike
• Area: 22,327 square kilometers
• Population: 28.55 lakh
• Hindus and Christians are almost equal in Manipur. Apart from this, there is also presence of Muslim and some Sikh communities in the state.