Imphal, September 4: In a major step toward easing ethnic tensions in Manipur, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has agreed to reopen National Highway-02 for the free movement of commuters and essential goods, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on Thursday.

The decision follows a series of meetings in New Delhi between the MHA and KZC representatives and is expected to reduce hardships faced by residents in conflict-affected areas. The council has also pledged full cooperation with security forces deployed along the highway to maintain peace.

The reopening of NH-02, a crucial link connecting Manipur with Nagaland and other northeastern states, comes after it had been blocked since May 2023 amid ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The conflict had resulted in widespread violence, displacement of thousands, and a deepening humanitarian crisis. Authorities view the move as a confidence-building measure and a step toward restoring normalcy in the state.

Alongside the reopening, a tripartite meeting was held in New Delhi between the MHA, the Government of Manipur, and representatives of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF). The meeting concluded with the signing of a renewed Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement, effective for one year. The pact emphasizes the territorial integrity of Manipur and seeks a negotiated solution to bring lasting peace and stability.

Under the revised SoO terms, the KNO and UPF have agreed to relocate seven designated camps from conflict-prone areas, reduce the total number of camps, and move weapons to nearby CRPF and BSF facilities. Security forces will conduct stringent verification of cadres to remove any foreign nationals, if present. A Joint Monitoring Group will oversee the implementation of the agreement, and any violations will be addressed strictly.

The agreement comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the state and follows years of negotiations between the MHA and Kuki-Zo groups. The SoO pact, first signed in 2008, had been renewed annually until February 2024, after which the renewal process was temporarily suspended due to allegations of violations by some group cadres. The recent renewal reflects a consensus among the Kuki-Zo groups, local legislators, and the central government to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.