New Delhi: The Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement between the Union government, the Manipur government and Kuki armed groups was formally extended on Thursday (September 4) after months of uncertainty.

The renewed pact, accessed by The Wire, introduces key changes, including the relocation of designated camps, the surrender of double-locked weapons for six months and a clause requiring cadres to obtain Aadhaar cards – a move officials say is aimed at improving oversight and addressing “law and order concerns” in conflict-ridden Manipur.

According to the United People’s Front (UPF) – one of the two umbrella organisations representing Kuki armed groups, the other being the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) – the extension marks a “historic development” because it reaffirms New Delhi’s commitment to political dialogue despite opposition from Meitei groups and legislators in the Imphal valley.

“This time, the SoO agreement has been renewed to bring an amicable solution to the Kuki-Zo political demand for a Union territory with a legislature in a time-bound manner. We see this as a strong sign that the government of India is taking a neutral stand,” said Aaron, spokesperson and chief negotiator of the UPF, who was part of Thursday’s signing.

Camps to be relocated, not dismantled

As part of the revised ground rules, some KNO and UPF camps will be closed while others are to be shifted to new locations.

While specific sites have not been disclosed, Aaron confirmed that one camp each from the KNO and the UPF has been shut down, while three others will be relocated. “We said if you want closure of some camps we are open, if you want relocation we are open; the only reason is because we think this will lead us to a political solution,” he told The Wire.

Camps that are currently close to national highways and populated areas will be relocated. As per the renegotiated agreement, camps “shall not be located close to populated areas, national highways and within areas vulnerable to conflict. The camps are to be located at a reasonable distance from the Myanmar border as well as inter-state boundaries”.

Weapons under double lock and Aadhaar cards for cadres

Another key provision is the surrender of double-locked weapons for six months, with oversight by security forces.

Officials described this as a confidence-building measure aimed at easing tensions on the ground, though Kuki groups view it as a compromise made to sustain dialogue. Currently all double-locked weapons are kept inside the SoO camps only.

As reported by The Hindu, a new clause in the new SoO pact requires cadres to register themselves using their Aadhaar cards and be subject to physical verification by a ‘joint monitoring group’. Militants may be paid their stipends only through Aadhaar-linked accounts, a move the newspaper noted is meant to strengthen transparency and “[integrate] the groups more firmly into the state’s administrative framework”.

From 2008 to 2025: what has changed?

The original 2008 SoO agreement carried the clause that any settlement “shall not affect the territorial integrity of Manipur”. The 2025 renewal retains this, but crucially adds that negotiations will be pursued for a political settlement within the Constitution in a time-bound manner.

Kuki groups interpret this as recognition of their demand for a separate administrative arrangement.

“Unless we have an administration in the hills, our people cannot survive. Schools must run, offices must function. That is why we have demanded a Union territory with a legislature, and now it is part of the dialogue,” Aaron said.

The renewal comes after the SoO had lapsed in February 2024 with the Manipur government's withdrawal following intense opposition from Meitei organisations and legislators, who had passed resolutions calling for it to be scrapped.

Yet, according to the UPF, the Union home ministry took what they described as a “neutral stand”.

Representatives at the signing included Rajesh Kambley, joint director (northeast) in the home ministry, and A.K. Mishra, interlocutor and adviser for the northeast to the ministry.

Manipur, which has been under President’s Rule since February this year, was represented in the SoO renewal meeting by Ashutosh Kumar, the state’s additional director general of police, and Ashok Kumar, a senior officer from the state home department.

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