Major breakthrough in Manipur: Kuki-Zo Council agrees to reopen National Highway-2
The decision came following several rounds of meetings in New Delhi over the past few days between MHA officials and a delegation from the Kuki-Zo Council.
In a significant step toward easing tensions in Manipur, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has agreed to reopen National Highway-02 (NH-2), allowing free movement of commuters and essential goods, the Union Home Ministry announced on Thursday.
The breakthrough came after a series of meetings held in New Delhi between KZC representatives and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The council has also committed to fully cooperating with central security forces to help maintain peace along the highway, which is a vital supply route for Manipur.
“Kuki-Zo Council has given a commitment to cooperate with security forces deployed by the Government of India to maintain peace along NH-2,” the MHA said in an official statement.
NH-2, which connects Manipur with Nagaland and the rest of the Northeast, had been blocked following the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023. The conflict, largely between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, led to widespread unrest, the displacement of thousands, and a growing humanitarian crisis.
The reopening of the highway is being viewed as a confidence-building measure and a step toward restoring normalcy. Officials believe this move will help ease access to essential supplies, especially for displaced families and those living in relief camps.
In a related development, the MHA also held a tripartite meeting in Delhi with representatives from the Manipur government, the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), and the United People's Front (UPF). The meeting concluded with the signing of a revised Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, which will remain in effect for one year.
According to the MHA, the updated agreement includes two key commitments: upholding Manipur’s territorial integrity and pursuing a peaceful, negotiated solution to the conflict.
As part of the new terms, the KNO and UPF have also agreed to several security-related measures. These include relocating seven designated camps away from sensitive areas, reducing the overall number of such camps, securing weapons at nearby CRPF and BSF camps, and conducting strict verification of group members to identify and remove any foreign nationals.
Officials say these steps aim to restore trust, improve law and order, and lay the groundwork for long-term peace in the region.