Paper: GS – III, Subject: Internal Security, Topic: North-East regional issues, Issue: Significance of the SoO pact with Kuki-Zo Groups.
Context:
On 4 September 2025, the Union Home Ministry and the Manipur government signed a revised Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with 24 Kuki-Zo insurgent groups under the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF).
Key Takeaways:
Manipur Violence and its trigger:
- Conflict Trigger (May 2023): Clashes between Meitei (valley) and Kuki-Zo (hill) communities over demands for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and land rights.
- Casualties & Displacement: Hundreds killed, thousands displaced, large-scale arson of homes and religious places.
- SoO Framework (2008): Tripartite agreements between Centre, Manipur govt, and insurgent groups. It allowed designated camps with arms kept under lock.
Key Features of the Revised SoO Pact:
- Free Movement on NH-02: Government claimed an agreement on movement of goods/people while Kuki groups assert that highway was never fully blocked.
- Buffer Zones: Continued insistence on separation between Kuki and Meitei areas, showing fragile trust.
Implications of the agreement:
Significance of the agreement:
- Security: Tightened control over insurgent groups prevents misuse of camps.
- Federalism: Shows Centre-State cooperation in managing ethnic conflict.
- Diplomacy: Addresses cross-border insurgency concerns with Myanmar.
- Peace Process: Framework for future political settlement through dialogue.
Further measures needed:
- Ensure inclusive dialogue involving Meitei, Kuki, Naga, and civil society groups.
- Strengthen border management with Myanmar to check insurgent movement.
- Build trust through development projects and rehabilitation of displaced persons.
- Monitor implementation of SoO rigorously to prevent violations.
- Balance security operations with reconciliation efforts to avoid alienation.
Conclusion:
The revised SoO pact of 2025 is a confidence-building measure to stabilise Manipur after two years of violent ethnic conflict. By tightening monitoring, relocating insurgent camps, and reinforcing constitutional principles, the pact aims to restore peace and stability. However, its success will depend on inclusive negotiations, careful security management, and sustained efforts at ethnic reconciliation within Manipur.
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