What is the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement?

Why in the News? 

The revised Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement was signed on September 4, 2025, between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Manipur government, and 24 Kuki-Zo insurgent groups.
This new pact introduces stricter monitoring mechanisms, Aadhaar-linked stipend payments, and restructuring of designated militant camps.
It comes in the backdrop of ongoing ethnic tensions and violence in Manipur, which escalated on May 3, 2023.

Key Highlights of the Revised SoO Agreement:

Validity:
The revised pact will remain in force for one year, during which its implementation will be closely monitored.

Stipend Payments:

• Each cadre will receive a monthly stipend of ₹6,000, which was earlier stopped after violence broke out in May 2023.
• Disbursements will be processed solely via Aadhaar-linked bank accounts and restricted to cadres who are verified as physically present in the camps during inspections.
  Photo identity cards will be issued by Manipur Police to ensure proper identification.

Reduction of Camps:
The number of designated camps for the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF) has been reduced from 14 each to six each.
These camps cannot be set up near populated areas, national highways, or conflict-prone zones.
They must also be located at a safe distance from the Myanmar border to prevent cross-border militant activity.

Identification and Verification:
The government will prepare a comprehensive list of cadres, including names, dates of birth, and recent photographs.
Any foreign nationals will be removed from the list of leaders and members.
This step aims to ensure transparency and prevent external interference.

Ground Rules for Cadres:

• The KNO and UPF have pledged to give up violence entirely and commit to respecting the Indian Constitution, existing laws, and Manipur’s territorial unity.
  They are prohibited from:

• Recruiting new members.
• Associating with other armed groups within or outside India.
• Carrying out offensive operations against security forces, rival groups, or civilians.

Security Forces’ Role:
The Army, Assam Rifles, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and Manipur Police will not launch operations against these groups as long as they comply with the terms of the agreement.

Path to Political Dialogue:

• The revised SoO will be followed by a tripartite dialogue between the Government of India, the Manipur government, and the insurgent groups.
  The aim is to negotiate a political settlement under the Constitution of India within a set timeline.

Background of the SoO Agreement:

• The Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement was initially concluded in 2008, following years of intense conflict, especially the ethnic violence between Kuki and Naga groups during the 1990s.
  It aimed to cease hostilities, promote peace talks, and rehabilitate militants into mainstream society.
  Around 2,200 cadres from different Kuki factions came under the pact, with the government providing stipends and designated camps to prevent violence.
• However, on May 3, 2023, large-scale ethnic violence erupted between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, leading to the suspension of stipend payments and growing mistrust between the groups and authorities.

Significance of the Revised Pact:

• Brings accountability by linking stipends to Aadhaar-based verification and physical presence.
• Improves monitoring through a reduced number of camps and detailed identification records.
• Aims to curb cross-border insurgency by shifting camps farther from the Myanmar boundary.
• Restores trust between communities and the government by providing a framework for dialogue and eventual peace.
• Creates a structured path to political settlement, ensuring that the process stays within the boundaries of the Constitution.

Conclusion:

The revised SoO agreement represents a critical step toward restoring peace and stability in Manipur.
By combining strict verification measures, reduced militant activity, and formal channels for political dialogue, the government aims to curb violence and lay the groundwork for a sustainable peace process in the state.