Guwahati: A report said that Assam Chief Minister and convenor of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), Hemanta Biswa Sarma, has held a significant meeting with leaders of Kuki rebel group, last night, in a bid to restore peace in Manipur.
The report said that four leaders of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF) met with the Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati on the night of June 11. The KNO is an umbrella organization of 17 militant groups who are under the Suspension of Operations (SoO). The UPF is also, likewise, an umbrella organization of eight Kuki rebel groups and part of the SoO. They had signed peace arrangements with the Indian Government and Manipur in 2008.
Meitei civil society groups have alleged that Kuki militants who are under SoO are largely involved in the recent violence in Manipur, said the report.
The meeting with these rebel groups by Himanta Biswa Sarma is considered a big step to restore peace in Manipur. This meeting comes after Amit Shah had visited Manipur and initiated the peace process.
Though, the details of the meeting are not forthcoming, the report said that representatives of the rebel groups said the meeting with Himanta Biswa Sarma was in the desired positive line.
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