Manipur CM N Biren Singh urges armed group to come forward for talks, find solution

Within days of signing the historic peace agreement with UNLF, the oldest insurgent group of Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh today reached out to the other armed groups in the state to come forward and have talks with the government for finding solution to their issues and return to mainstream.

Terming the peace accord signed recently with the UNLF as a historic achievement, N Biren Singh emphasized that every conflict has a solution. He insisted that ways have to be found necessarily so that there is lasting peace and development.

Attending a grand reception ceremony of the UNLF leadership and cadres at Kangla in Imphal, the Manipur Chief Minister said, “If there is a beginning there has to be an end. Whatever is the conflict there should be a solution politically or some other way, but there has to be a solution. Yes, they (armed groups) should come forward and they should join the peace process so that a solution can be brought, peace comes and get restored in Manipur.”

Sharing his joy after the signing of peace accord with the UNLF, N Biren Singh said, “It is one of the biggest achievement in the last 60-70 years. UNLF is a 60-year old organisation, they had never agreed to talk but keeping trust and confidence on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they agreed and signed a peace agreement, this is a great achievement.”

“That is why today I am very much happy and I thank the people of Manipur. Without their cooperation and support this peace initiative would have never happened. Now with the support of people of Manipur we have achieved a peace accord between the UNLF, the Government of India and the Government of Manipur,” N Biren Singh further said.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh informed that the ground rules for the UNLF would be by the Centre soon and hopes that the process of implementing the peace pact will proceed smoothly.

He stated, “Already they (UNLF) have signed an agreement and there has to be ground rules. The weapons should be placed under lock and key, that will be included in ground rules. So right now we are not finalizing the ground rules, it will be finalized by the government of India and the UNLF by involving the state government. I think everything will sail smoothly. It is all because of the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the people of Manipur.”

The UNLF, Manipur’s oldest valley-based armed group, signed a peace agreement with the Centre and the Manipur government on November 29. The UNLF signed a mutual ceasefire agreement paving the way for a negotiated settlement.

Read also: Historic: UNLF signs peace pact with GoI

Watch also: Biggest achievement in the last 60 years: Manipur CM in mega reception for UNLF in Imphal