The second in-person meeting between the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) and a peace establishment committee took place on Tuesday.
The meeting was held at the Bethel Para community centre in Ruma upazila of Bandarban district at 10:30am.
Strong security measures were implemented in the Bethel neighbourhood surrounding the meeting venue, with a significant deployment of law enforcement forces, including police and BGB.
Prior to this, the two parties engaged in several video conferences.
The first direct meeting occurred on November 5, 2023, and after a four-month gap, the second meeting was convened on Tuesday.
Thirteen members participated in this meeting, led by committee chairman and Zilla Parishad Chairman Kya Shew Hla.
During the meeting, various issues were discussed, including the release of 23 KNF prisoners within three months, repatriation of civilians, government initiatives for resettlement, and ensuring essential needs such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and education.
Additionally, a six-point demand was presented for discussion, which included the non-return of 500 people from the Bam community who had sought refuge in Mizoram, India, until the peace agreement is executed.
Lal Jung Moy, the organizing secretary of the Central Committee of KNF, expressed satisfaction with the successful discussions during the second round of the meeting with the peace committee.
The 18-member peace establishment committee was formed in June 2023 with the leaders of various communities under the leadership of Zilla Parishad Chairman Kya Shew Hla to help KNF members return to normal life.
According to the understandings, KNF will remain from taking up arms during the peace process and cooperate with the law enforcement agencies, the government will take all out effort so that Kuki people can return to homes. It said that KNF will send proposals to the authorities for the betterment of Kuki population in education, health, food and employment creation. These proposals will be dealt with utmost sincerity. The final understanding, according to sources, states that the next date for talks will be decided upon discussion among both sides.
Since November 15, 2022, at least 548 people from 132 families have taken refuge in Mizoram due to the armed activities of KNF and operations by different security agencies to arrest its members.
On January 28, some 140 Marma women, men and children took refuge in Ruma Sadar from Mulpi Para, but they returned to their homes on February 5.
On March 10, around 220 people of 56 families from Barathli 4 Union of Rangamati's Bilaichhari took shelter in Tangchangya Reichha and Rowangchhari Sadar Upazila in fear of the armed activities by the KNF members.
The KNF surfaced on the scene last year after the Indian border forces arrested a dozen members with arms and ammunition in Mizoram.
