Former Manipur CM Biren Singh proposes 2-3 month confinement of armed groups in designated camps, IDP resettlement

Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh has proposed that armed cadres of groups under Suspension of Operations (SoO) and those engaged in peace talks be confined to their designated camps along with their weapons for two to three months as an initial measure to address the continuing violence in the state.

Singh met Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Lok Bhavan in Imphal at around 11.45 am on Thursday, September 24 and discussed the security situation in the state's hill districts. He later told reporters that he had also suggested a statewide security operation against armed groups and unauthorised weapons during the proposed confinement period.

According to Singh, violence in the hill districts since February this year has resulted in the deaths of 58 people and the burning of 40 to 50 villages. He said he had apprised the governor of the situation and presented a set of measures that, in his view, could help reduce violence and facilitate a return to normalcy.

Singh proposed that cadres of groups covered by SoO arrangements or engaged in peace talks, irrespective of their community affiliation, should be identified and kept at their respective designated camps along with their weapons for at least two to three months.

He further suggested that security forces conduct statewide operations during this period to identify and act against armed groups operating outside the existing arrangements, recover unauthorised weapons and take action against individuals involved in violence.

Singh said the proposed measures should be accompanied by the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and an updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Citing figures that he said were based on his assessment, Singh said there were around 2,180 cadres belonging to Kuki groups under SoO arrangements, while the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) had around 1,400 and 300 cadres respectively who were part of peace-related arrangements.

The Centre and the Manipur government had signed a cessation-of-operations agreement with the ZUF in December 2022, under which the group agreed to abjure violence and join the democratic process. The UNLF's Pambei faction subsequently entered into a peace agreement with the Centre and the Manipur government in November 2023.

Singh said he believed the measures could help address both the ongoing conflict and what he described as the issue of illegal immigration.

“I believe the above suggestions will help in addressing the present conflict situation and the issue of illegal immigrants in the state. I have shared them with the governor. The governor has also assured me that he will raise the matter with the central leaders,” Singh said.