India, Sept. 5 -- The Centre on Thursday signed a landmark tripartite agreement with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups and the Manipur government, and convinced protesters to restart traffic on an arterial highway that was blocked for two years, potentially setting the stage for peace in the strife-torn state where at least 260 people have died in ethnic clashes since 2023.

The Union home ministry (MHA) said a meeting among representatives of the MHA, Manipur government, and Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People's Front (UPF) ended with the signing of a tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement on re-negotiated terms and conditions (ground rules).

"In a significant decision, the Kuki-Zo Council has decided today to open th...