New Delhi: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said his government is in an advanced stage of talks with an Imphal Valley-based insurgent group and is likely to sign a peace pact soon, news agency PTI reported. "We are advancing, and we are expecting to sign a peace accord with one big UG (underground organisation) very shortly," he said while speaking to the media. However, he did not disclose the name of the underground organisation.
It is to be noted that earlier, there were reports that the government was in talks with a faction of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF). However, this is the first official confirmation from the government that it is in talks with an underground organisation for a peace accord.
Over 180 people have been killed since ethnic clashes broke out in the northeast state on May 3. Violence erupted after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was held in the hill districts in protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meanwhile, speaking on people from Myanmar crossing over to Manipur seeking refuge, CM Biren Singh said although India is not a party to UN Refugee Convention, some people are given shelter on humanitarian ground. He asserted they will be deported once normalcy is restored in Myanmar, PTI reported.
Earlier on Saturday, a village volunteer was killed in a gunfight with some unidentified people in Kangpokpi district, according to the news agency. The deceased has been identified as Khupminthang.
Panic gripped the village and the adjoining areas in Bishnupur and Kangpokpi districts, as people feared counter-attacks. Additional security forces had to be deployed and efforts are underway to nab the accused, police said.
The incident comes five days after two persons were killed in an ambush near Haraothel village in Kangpokpi district, PTI reported.