Manipur Peace Deal Progress: Kuki-Zo Groups Reopen NH-2, Talks Continue

Imphal/New Delhi, September 6, 2025 — In a significant development aimed at restoring normalcy in conflict-torn Manipur, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has reopened National Highway-2 (NH-2), a critical lifeline connecting the state with Nagaland and other parts of Northeast India, following a renewed tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement signed on September 4, 2025. The pact, involving the Central Government, the Manipur state government, and Kuki-Zo groups, including the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF), seeks to curb ethnic violence that has plagued the state since May 2023, claiming over 260 lives and displacing more than 60,000 people. The reopening of NH-2 and ongoing peace talks signal cautious optimism, but deep-seated ethnic tensions, political complexities, and cross-border challenges from Myanmar continue to pose significant hurdles to lasting peace.

The Reopening of National Highway-2

National Highway-2, connecting Imphal to Dimapur via Kangpokpi, has been a flashpoint in Manipur’s ethnic conflict, frequently blocked by Kuki-Zo groups protesting against perceived marginalization and violence by Meitei groups. The blockades, which began after ethnic clashes erupted on May 3, 2023, disrupted the flow of essential goods, fuel, and medicines, exacerbating economic hardship and humanitarian crises in the state. On September 4, 2025, the KZC announced the reopening of NH-2 for unrestricted movement of commuters and essential supplies, following a series of meetings with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi.

The KZC, in a statement signed by eight leaders, committed to cooperating with Central security forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF), to ensure peace along the highway. The statement, issued on September 4, 2025, also clarified that “no untoward incident has occurred either to commuters or to transportation of essential goods on NH-2 in the recent past,” addressing MHA concerns about commuter safety in Kangpokpi district. The reopening is seen as a confidence-building measure, with officials in Imphal and New Delhi noting that it will ease hardships for displaced families and residents reliant on relief camps.

Details of the Tripartite SoO Agreement

The renewed SoO agreement, signed on September 4, 2025, marks a pivotal step in Manipur’s peace process. Initially established in 2008, the SoO pact aimed to reduce hostilities between Kuki-Zo militant groups and security forces. Its renewal, effective for one year, follows its suspension in February 2024 amid allegations that some Kuki-Zo cadres violated terms by engaging in ethnic violence. The revised agreement, finalized after days of negotiations involving the MHA, Manipur government, KNO, and UPF, includes stringent measures to ensure compliance and foster stability. Key provisions include:

• Territorial Integrity and Peace: The agreement reaffirms Manipur’s territorial integrity, addressing Kuki-Zo demands for a separate administration while emphasizing a negotiated solution for lasting peace.
• Camp Relocation and Arms Control: Seven designated Kuki-Zo militant camps will be relocated from conflict-prone areas, with the total number of camps reduced. Weapons will be moved to nearby CRPF or BSF facilities, and cadres will undergo rigorous verification to exclude foreign nationals, particularly from Myanmar.
• Joint Monitoring Group (JMG): A JMG, comprising representatives from the MHA, Manipur government, and Kuki-Zo groups, will oversee enforcement of the ground rules, with violations potentially leading to the agreement’s review or termination.

The signing, described by the MHA as a “significant confidence-building step,” coincides with speculation about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s potential visit to Manipur on September 13, 2025, his first since the conflict began. KNO spokesperson Seilen Haokip confirmed the agreement’s finalization, noting the group’s commitment to peace.

Background of the Conflict

Manipur’s ethnic violence, sparked on May 3, 2023, by a Tribal Solidarity March opposing the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, has left the state deeply fractured. The conflict, primarily between the valley-dwelling Meiteis and hill-based Kuki-Zo tribes, has resulted in over 260 deaths, 1,500 injuries, and the displacement of more than 70,000 people. The looting of over 6,000 firearms from police armories has fueled militia activity, with both sides accusing each other of militant involvement.

The state has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh amid internal BJP dissent and a no-confidence motion. The Manipur Assembly remains in suspended animation, with its tenure extending to 2027. The conflict’s roots lie in competing demands: Meiteis seek ST status for better access to jobs and education, while Kuki-Zo groups fear this would marginalize them further, prompting calls for a separate administration.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite the progress, significant challenges remain:

• Ethnic Divide: The conflict has created a de facto partition, with security forces maintaining buffer zones between Meitei and Kuki-Zo areas. The Zomi Council (ZC), based in Churachandpur, opposed the NH-2 reopening, arguing it benefits Meiteis without addressing Zomi grievances, calling it a “betrayal.”
• Militant Activity: Allegations that SoO cadres trained village defense volunteers or participated in violence have fueled Meitei demands to scrap the agreement. The Manipur Assembly passed a resolution on February 29, 2024, urging its cancellation, reflecting deep mistrust.
• Myanmar’s Influence: Manipur’s 398-km porous border with Myanmar, where civil war has displaced Chin refugees, complicates peace efforts. Cross-border arms and drug smuggling, facilitated by ethnic ties between Kuki-Zo and Chin communities, remain a concern.
• Implementation Concerns: Critics, including Congress MP A. Bimol Akoijam, question the SoO’s efficacy, citing its failure to prevent violence since 2023. A KZC member, speaking anonymously to DW, expressed skepticism about unrestricted highway access without guarantees of equitable treatment.

On X, reactions are mixed. Posts from @ANI (September 4, 2025) celebrated the NH-2 reopening as a “step toward normalcy,” while @jeegujja criticized the government’s delay, stating, “Manipur’s wounds won’t heal with just a highway.”

Political and Regional Implications

The SoO renewal and NH-2 reopening are critical for Manipur’s economy, heavily reliant on NH-2 for trade and supplies. The agreement aligns with India’s Act East Policy, which seeks to develop the Northeast as a trade hub with Southeast Asia. However, instability risks disrupting projects like the Jiribam-Imphal Railway and the Asian Highway network.

Politically, the pact strengthens the BJP’s narrative of stabilizing the Northeast, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju calling it a “testament to Modi’s vision” on X (@KirenRijiju, September 4, 2025). The opposition, however, accuses the BJP of delaying action, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claiming the original 2008 SoO, signed under Congress, was more effective. The timing, ahead of Modi’s potential visit, suggests an effort to project progress, but Kuki-Zo demands for a separate administration remain unresolved, with the Centre rejecting such proposals.

Voices from the Ground

The KZC’s decision to reopen NH-2 has brought relief to residents like Rakesh Meitei, a shopkeeper in Imphal, who told The Week, “The highway closure doubled prices of essentials. This is a lifeline for us.” However, Kuki-Zo residents in Kangpokpi remain cautious. A community leader, speaking anonymously to India Today, said, “We want peace, but it must come with justice. The highway is a start, but our demands are bigger.”

The JMG’s role will be crucial in ensuring compliance, with violations potentially derailing the agreement. Political scientist Bidhan Laishram, in a 2025 Outlook India analysis, emphasized the need for inclusive dialogue involving Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and Naga communities to address root causes like land rights and resource allocation.

Looking Ahead

The reopening of NH-2 and the SoO renewal mark tangible progress in Manipur’s peace process, offering hope for economic recovery and reduced violence. However, the ethnic divide, militant resurgence, and Myanmar’s spillover effects pose formidable challenges. PM Modi’s speculated visit on September 13 could bolster confidence, but without addressing Kuki-Zo demands for autonomy and Meitei grievances over ST status, the peace remains fragile. As Manipur navigates this delicate phase, the success of the agreement hinges on transparent implementation, neutral mediation, and sustained dialogue to heal a state scarred by over two years of conflict.

Sources: India Today, The Week, Firstpost, NewKerala.com, Devdiscourse, The CSR Journal, nenow.in, Oneindia News, way2barak.com, prokerala.com, MorungExpress, Outlook India, news.webindia123.com, sentinelassam.com, moneycontrol.com, dnaindia.com, india.com, OpIndia, Social News XYZ, swarajyamag.com, news.abplive.com, indiablooms.com

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