Manipur insurgent groups want to end violence

In a major push towards peace in the Northeast, the Centre has decided to suspend armed operations against eight insurgent groups in Manipur which have expressed the desire to join the mainstream and sought launching of formal negotiations.

"Realising the futility of continuing with insurgent activities, eight Kuki groups have expressed a desire to end violence and join the mainstream for formal negotiations with the government for peaceful settlement of all issues," a defence Ministry spokesman said in New Delhi.

"The groups have sought time to decide the modalities and requested for cessation of operations against them," he said. The unified headquarters, operating in the Northeast, has "agreed to the request for a period of six months from August one 2005," the spokesman said.

The groups are Kuki Liberation Army, Kuki National Front (Military Council) and (Zougam), Kuki National Army, United Socialist Revolutionary Army, Kuki Revolutionary Army, Kuki National Front (Samulel), United Kuki Liberation Front and Zomi Revolutionary Army.