Imphal, July 22: The Okram Ibobi Singh government has finally agreed to be a party to the agreement between the army and 10 militant groups of Manipur for suspension of operations and take the peace talks forward.

The Ibobi Singh government has approved the ground rules drafted by the state home department after making certain changes in a draft proposal submitted by the army through the defence ministry. The government has also proposed to set up a Joint Monitoring Group for observance of ground rules by both the army and militant groups and also pave the way for holding talks.

“Last night, the cabinet decided to declare a ceasefire with the tribal militant groups, which have entered into an agreement with the army. But first the militant groups will have to accept the draft ground rules and agree to hold talks,” a minister in the Ibobi Singh cabinet said today.

The armed groups that entered into the agreement are the Kuki National Army, Kuki Liberation Army, Kuki Revolutionary Army, United Kuki Liberation Front, Kuki National Front (Military Council), Kuki National Front (Zougam), Kuki National Front (President), Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) and United Socialist Revolutionary Army. A Muslim militant group named People’s United Liberation Front has also entered into an agreement with the army.

Earlier, the Ibobi Singh government refused to honour the army’s arrangement with the militant groups stating that there was no ground rule and designated camps for the rebels. The minister said the draft ground rules approved by the cabinet and the proposal to set up a Joint Monitoring Group would be sent to the Centre in the next few days for its approval.

The state government has proposed to include citizens and police, army officials and representatives of the militant groups. “If the Centre and tribal militant groups accept the proposal, then the state government is ready to hold talks with the groups,” the minister said.

The Ibobi Singh government, however, said the talks would be a bipartite one between the state government and militant groups. “We want talks between the state government and militant groups. One senior official from the Centre could take part in the negotiations as a witness. The talks would be within the Constitution of India and the outcome should not disturb the existing boundary of Manipur,” the minister said.

He added that the designated camps for the militant groups would be finalised by the state police after consultation with the army in Manipur. The minister said the government would also make efforts to bring other militant groups of Manipur to the talks table.