Manipur’s oldest valley-based armed group United National Liberation Fron (UNLF) has signed a tripartite peace agreement with the Centre and the state government.

“The peace agreement signed today with the UNLF by the Government of India and the Government of Manipur marks the end of a six-decade-long armed movement,” UNion home Minister Amit Shah announced in a post on X on Wednesday.

“It is a landmark achievement in realising PM Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of all-inclusive development and providing a better future to the youths in Northeast India,” he added.

“Modi govt’s relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the Northeast have added a new chapter of fulfilment as the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) signed a peace agreement, today in New Delhi. UNLF, the oldest valley-based armed group of Manipur has agreed to renounce violence and join the mainstream. I welcome them to the democratic processes and wish them all the best in their journey on the path of peace and progress,” the Home minister said in another post on X.

“The recent development of the United National Liberation Front signing a peace agreement is a testament to the relentless efforts of the BJP Government in bringing peace and development in the North-East states and Manipur. As the UNLF negotiated a settlement and renounced violence, I expressed my appreciation for their decision to engage in “peace talks”. I welcome the UNLF group to the democratic processes and extend my best wishes for their journey on the path of peace and progress,” Mnaipur CM N Biren Singh said.

Founded on November 24, 1964, under Areambam Samrendra Singh, the UNLF is the oldest Meitei insurgent group in the north-eastern state of Manipur.