NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Home Affairs, the Manipur government, and Kuki-Zo groups signed a tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement on Thursday, paving the way for peace in the ethnic conflict that erupted on May 3, 2023.In the fresh agreement, the central government, the Manipur government and the Kuki-Zo groups have agreed to maintain the territorial integrity of Manipur, open National Highway-2 (NH-2) for free movement, and relocation of militant camps.NH-2, a vital supply route linking Manipur with Nagaland and the rest of the Northeast, had remained blocked during the ethnic unrest that broke out in May 2023. The conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has since caused extensive violence, loss of lives, large-scale displacement, and a worsening humanitarian crisis.The three sides also agreed on the need for a negotiated solution to bring lasting peace and stability to Manipur, reduce the number of designated camps, relocate the weapons with nearest CRPF/BSF camps and stringent physical verification of militant cadres by security forces to de-list foreign nationals, if any, reported news agency PTI.The positive development comes when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Manipur, in what will be his first visit to the state since ethnic violence broke out there in 2023, on September 12 or 13.Authorities view the reopening of the highway as both a confidence-building measure and an important step toward restoring normalcy. Officials in Imphal and New Delhi believe that easing access to essential commodities will help reduce the burden on displaced families and civilians in relief camps.“The meeting concluded with the signing of a tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement on re-negotiated terms and conditions (ground rules) to be effective from the day of signing of the Agreement for a period of one year,” the ministry said in a statement.The tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement has re-negotiated ground rules.The revised ground rules reaffirmed two key principles: “The territorial integrity of Manipur, and need for a negotiated solution to bring lasting peace and stability to Manipur.”The MHA further noted that “Kuki National Organisation and United People’s Front have also agreed to relocate seven designated camps away from areas vulnerable to conflict, reduce the number of designated camps, relocate the weapons with nearest Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF) camps, and stringent physical verification of cadres by Security Forces to de-list foreign nationals, if any.”According to the ministry, a joint monitoring group will now oversee strict enforcement of the ground rules. Any violations, it warned, will be dealt with firmly, including through a possible review of the SoO agreement.