Thu Sep 04 21:22:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Indian government, the Manipur government, and 24 Kuki-Zo insurgent groups have signed a revised Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement aimed at monitoring insurgent activities and paving the way for a political settlement. The agreement includes measures like Aadhaar-linked stipends, camp relocation, cadre verification, and a ban on recruitment and violence. The revision comes after ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, which began in May 2023, between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. The agreement also emphasizes adherence to the Indian Constitution and territorial integrity of Manipur, as well as the exclusion of foreign nationals from the insurgent groups.

**News Article:**

**Revised SoO Agreement Signed with Kuki-Zo Insurgent Groups in Manipur**

**New Delhi, September 5, 2025:** In an effort to restore peace and stability in Manipur, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Manipur government, and 24 Kuki-Zo insurgent groups have signed a revised Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. The agreement, signed on Thursday, aims to monitor the activities of insurgent cadres and ultimately pave the way for a negotiated political settlement within the framework of the Indian Constitution.

The revised pact builds upon the original 2008 SoO agreement and introduces stricter measures for monitoring and accountability. Key provisions include:

* **Aadhaar-linked stipends:** Monthly stipends, previously suspended due to ethnic violence, will now be disbursed only through Aadhaar-linked bank accounts to verified members present in designated camps.
* **Camp Relocation:** The number of designated camps for the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF) will be reduced from 14 to six, with specific guidelines on location to avoid proximity to populated areas, national highways, and conflict zones. Camps must also be a reasonable distance from the Myanmar border.
* **Cadre Verification:** A Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) headed by the Principal Secretary (Home) of the Manipur government will conduct physical verification of cadres, compile comprehensive lists with detailed information, and exclude any foreign nationals.
* **Commitment to Peace:** The KNO and UPF are required to completely renounce violence, adhere to the Constitution of India and laws of the land, and respect the territorial integrity of Manipur.
* **Prohibited Activities:** The agreement explicitly prohibits the groups from associating with other armed groups, recruiting new members, and conducting offensive operations against security forces, other groups, or the public. Security forces are similarly restricted from launching operations against the groups as long as they abide by the agreement.

The revised SoO comes in the wake of escalating ethnic violence in Manipur between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities, which has resulted in approximately 250 deaths and displacement of over 60,000 people since May 2023. The presence of foreign nationals, particularly those from Myanmar’s Chin-Kuki ethnic group, has been identified as a contributing factor to the conflict.

The preamble of the pact underscores the urgency of addressing the deteriorating law and order situation. The agreement envisions a tripartite dialogue with KNO and UPF aimed at achieving a lasting political resolution. The Hindu’s sources say that the pact is valid for one year.

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