Jun 18, 2025 08:54 AM IST Fresh talks between the federal government and the rebel teams got here amid protracted violence between Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur since May 2023 The Union dwelling ministry and Manipur’s Kuki-Zo rebel teams have reached an understanding to relocate seven camps from close to Meitei-dominated areas after a second spherical of talks on Monday below the 2008 Suspension of Operations (SoO) settlement, an official stated. Violence between Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur has since May 2023 left round 250 individuals useless and 1000’s displaced. (ANI) The official stated the extension of the pact was not mentioned on the assembly targeted on revising floor guidelines, that are seen as a extra rapid precedence. The places of the brand new camps in tribal areas might be mentioned at a 3rd assembly to be scheduled. “It has been agreed in principle that any relocated camps should be in tribal areas,” the official stated. Representatives of the rebel teams offered new proposals involving safety preparations. The ministry representatives emphasised the restoration of looted weapons and full restoration of the Imphal–Jiribam–Silchar and Dimapur–Imphal-Moreh highways, which have remained blocked since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023. “Discussions on ground rules were held on Monday, and an agreement was reached on key changes, including closure of camps. Reopening highways was also a top priority,” stated a second official. In 2008, 25 rebel teams signed the tripartite settlement with the central and state governments. Around 2,200 of their members then resided in 14 designated camps throughout the hill districts of Manipur. Meiteis have opposed the pact. Former chief minister N Biren Singh, a Meitei, has blamed armed Kuki militants for involvement within the protracted battle. Kuki leaders have accused Meitei teams, together with Arambai Tenggol, of stoking the violence. On Monday, Manipur Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Michael Lamjathang Haokip wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the abrogation of the pact to revive peace within the state. The Manipur authorities withdrew from the tripartite SoO talks in February 2023, leaving the pact ineffective. Each member of the rebel teams in camps arrange below the SoO is entitled to a month-to-month ₹6,000 stipend, however funds have reportedly been suspended since violence broke out. The rebel teams initially demanded an autonomous Kuki-Zo council inside Manipur. They have since 2023 demanded a Union Territory with its a legislature BJP Rajya Sabha member Leishemba Sanajaoba questioned the rationale of the pact. “What was the point of signing such a pact with these groups when they neither revolted against the state nor the Union governments at that time?” he requested on Facebook. He wrote that the pact was signed throughout the Congress rule with two Kuki-Zo umbrella rebel teams, which initially demanded autonomy. “Such grave missteps of the previous government led to this chaotic situation in the state.” The recent talks on the pact come amid protracted violence between Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur, which has since May 2023 and has left round 250 individuals useless and 1000’s displaced. Meiteis dwell largely within the plains of the Imphal valley, and the Kukis within the hills. They have since 2023 withdrawn to their respective strongholds and arrange street blockades on highways to limit one another’s and the motion of important gadgets between their strongholds.
