Guwahati: The Assam government on Sunday signed a memoranda of settlement (MoS) with four armed groups belonging to the Kuki and Hmar communities in the state.
The agreements mark the end of “ethnic militancy” in the state, an official statement said. The agreements were signed at a formal ceremony held in Dispur in the presence of Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu.
The three Kuki armed groups that inked the settlement are the United Kukigam Defence Army (UKDA), the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), and the Kuki Liberation Organisation (KLO) along with its armed wing, the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA). The Hmar Peoples’ Convention-Democratic (HPC-D) signed a separate pact with the government on the same occasion.
Reportedly, fhe four groups had laid down arms in 2012 in the presence of the then Union home minister and the chief minister, and signed the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact.
In a post on X, Ranoj Pegu termed the agreement signing as historic milestone for Assam and said that it will bring the groups into the democratic mainstream.
He wrote, “With the dynamic leadership of HCM @himantabiswa, a historic milestone for peace in Assam was achieved today with the signing of the Memoranda of Settlement (MoS) between the Government of Assam and the Kuki groups (UKDA, KRA, KLO/KLA), as well as the Hmar Peoples’ Convention (Democratic), Assam Region.”
“These agreements bring the groups into the democratic mainstream and pave the way for the creation of the Kuki Welfare and Development Council and the Hmar Welfare and Development Council to promote the socio-economic and cultural advancement of both communities,” he added.
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According to the official statement, the proposed councils will consist of a Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Chief Executive Member, Executive Members, General Members and members nominated by the Assam government, with the headquarters of both councils to be established in Guwahati.
The agreement also highlights several schemes designed to fast-track development in areas inhabited by the Kuki and Hmar communities. Additionally, the Government of Assam will provide financial assistance to the families of cadres who lost their lives during the armed struggle.
