The United National Liberation Front (UNLF), an insurgent group active in Manipur, has suffered a significant setback losing a major camp in Myanmar.
According to reports, the UNLF camp, located in upper Tamu township, approximately 4 kilometres from Moreh, India’s last border town in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district, was raided and captured by a joint force of the Democratic Forces – People’s Defence Force (PDF) and the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-Burma).
The raid resulted in the confiscation of documents and a substantial cache of arms and ammunition, news outlet nenow.in reported.
It was also reported that the UNLF camp was established in 2020 with the assistance of the Myanmar Junta. The clash between the UNLF and the forces lasted for approximately one hour, it was reported.
UNLF faction to sign ceasefire agreement with government
Meanwhile, in a major development, the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) faction led by Kh Pambei is reported to have decided to sign a mutual ceasefire agreement with the Government of India.
The faction is reportedly preparing for a negotiated settlement to the protracted armed struggle to regain Manipur’s lost sovereignty.
UNLF (Pambei) group’s general secretary Ch Thanil on Friday said that the outfit will soon sign a ceasefire and hold talks with the Government of India soon. Speaking on the occasion of UNLF’s 59th Anniversary at the newly inaugurated camp in Kakching Khunou area on November 25, Ch Thanil said the proposed process may be termed as “peace talk” and the UNLF (Pambei) will soon be engaged with Government of India authorities.
Ch Thanil allayed “doubts” over the minds of the public in Manipur by asserting that — what the UNLF (Pambei) will be embarking upon will not be a “surrender.” He said it will be a process towards a negotiated political settlement. Ch Thanil mentioned that the move towards ceasefire and a political settlement were reached after the leadership pondered over “feelers” from New Delhi.
The general secretary of the faction stated that after an understanding was reached between authorities representing the Government of India and UNLF (Pambei), the two sides decided not to act against each other. This is probably why central and state armed forces were not acting against them even as UNLF still remains a proscribed armed group.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh revealed on November 26 that the state government is on the verge of signing a historic peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) based in the Imphal Valley.
According to a report in India Today NE, Chief Minister N Biren Singh, speaking on the sidelines of the Constitution Day celebration, expressed optimism about the progress in the negotiations, stating, “We are advancing, and we are expecting to sign a peace accord with one big UG (underground organization) very shortly.”