Govindas Konthoujam on March 16 informed the Manipur Legislative Assembly that the peace agreement signed with the United National Liberation Front (P) remains in force, with 1,435 cadres already verified by authorities.

Responding to a query raised by Congress MLA Surjakumar Okram, the minister said the accord signed in November 2023 continues to be operational. He stated that all 1,435 verified cadres are currently lodged in six designated camps, where basic amenities are being provided by the government.

Govindas Konthoujam further informed the House that the Centre has sanctioned ₹5.83 crore for the maintenance of these camps. The amount is being released in five instalments covering the period from December 2023 to April 2024. However, he noted that the state government is still awaiting the release of funds for the subsequent six-month period from May 2024 to October 2024 to clear the remaining financial backlog.

The peace agreement with UNLF marks a significant milestone in Manipur’s internal security landscape, as it is the first instance of a Meitei insurgent group entering into a formal peace pact with the Government of India and the state government. The agreement aims to end decades of armed insurgency and facilitate the rehabilitation and mainstreaming of cadres under a monitored camp system.