Union Government holds tripartite talks with Manipur government, KNO, UPF

The Union Government held tripartite talks with Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People's Front (UPF) of Manipur to find an amicable solution to their long standing demand.

The second round of the tripartite talks was held on 19 October 2016 in New Delhi. During the dialogue the KNO and the UPF indicated their demands in the presence of senior representative of Manipur government. The first meeting was held in June 2016.

The talks were held in a cordial atmosphere and the next round of dialogue will be held in consultation with Manipur government, KNO and UPF.

To find a permanent solution to their demand for homeland and political future, the Home Ministry in June 2016 had decided to hold tripartite talks with government of Manipur, KNO and UPF of Manipur.

Kuki National Organisation (KNO)

•    KNO and its armed Wing, Kuki National Army (KNA), were formed in 1988. Its first batch of the cadres, under the command of Thangkholun Haokip, was trained by the Kachin Independent Army (KIA) in Myanmar. Its objectives include 

•    To bring together all the Kuki-inhabited areas separated by artificial boundary created in 1935, specifically in the Kabaw valley of Myanmar and the Kuki inhabited areas in the hill districts of Manipur under one administrative unit called ‘Zalengam’ (Land of freedom).

•    If such integration fails to materialise than, the organisation aims at the creation of two Kuki states: one within Burma, named, Eastern Zalengam and the other within India, that is, Western Zalengam.

•    Earlier between 1991 and 1999, KNA waged guerrilla warfare in Myanmar against the Military Junta, mainly targeting patrol parties and also Steamers along the Chindwin River.

United People's Front (UPF) of Manipur

•    UPF is considered as one of the two umbrella bodies of Kuki militant groups and was raised by the outfit during a recently held political dialogue with Central representatives at New Delhi.

•    As per reports, the front demands a separate and autonomous ‘Hill State’ within the territory of Manipur, by extending the provision of Article 244 A of the Constitution.

As per reports, both KNO and UPF in August 2008 signed Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact with both the Union and Manipur Governments. After this, the Manipur Government set up five designated camps in Churachandpur, Chandel and Senapati districts to lodge the cadres of the ceasefire militant groups.