GUWAHATI, DEC 31: A total of 69 militants belonging to different insurgent groups laid down arms in 2022, says Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh.
Talking to media persons in Imphal on Friday, CM N Biren Singh said, “A total of 69 militants of different groups eschewed the path of violence and joined the national mainstream through home-coming ceremonies since March 2022 till date,”.
N Biren Sing took charge as chief minister of Manipur for the second time in March 2021.
Singh said the ‘Cessation of Operations (CoO)’ agreement was signed recently with Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) in New Delhi and processes for signing a similar agreement with some other rebel groups are also in progress.
“Manipur has 34 different communities recognized by the government and there are around 35 underground outfits in the state,” the CM stated.
The historic tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) was signed between the Centre, the State Government (Manipur), and the Kuki revolutionary groups under the umbrella of a common bilateral platform called the UPF (United People’s Front) and the KNO (Kuki National Organisation) in New Delhi on August 22, 2008, with a certain set of ground rules.
Meanwhile, the government in Manipur has taken a tough stand against the insurgent groups after assuming power. Most of the dreaded militant groups laid down their arms and started a new lease of life by doing agriculture and other business.