Kukis Open Key Manipur Highway, Arms-Down Agreement With Insurgents Extended | Read

A key organisation representing a section of the Kuki and Zomi tribes in Manipur has decided to open the state's lifeline, National Highway-02, for free movement of commuters and cargo two years after ethnic clashes broke out in the state bordering Myanmar.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in a statement today confirmed the assurance given by the Churachandpur-based Kuki Zo Council (KZC) of allowing free movement, ahead of a strong buzz that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Manipur soon.

The MHA also announced the renewal of the controversial Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with two umbrella organisations representing a mix of two dozen Kuki, Zomi and Hmar insurgent groups in Manipur, with the condition that the territorial integrity of Manipur will not be touched.