Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest Meitei extremist group operating in Manipur, had signed a peace accord and agreed to renounce violence.

The UNLF is among several Meitei extremist groups in Manipur whose ban under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) was extended by the Union home ministry recently. The ongoing six-month-long strife in Manipur has so far left at least 181 killed and 67,000 displaced.

"A historic milestone achieved!!! Modi govt's relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the Northeast have added a new chapter of fulfilment as the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) signed a peace agreement today in New Delhi," Shah said in a post on X.

"UNLF, the oldest valley-based armed group of Manipur has agreed to renounce violence and join the mainstream. I welcome them to the democratic processes and wish them all the best in their journey on the path of peace and progress," Shah added.

The peace agreement signed on Wednesday with the UNLF by the government of India and the government of Manipur marks the end of a six-decade-long armed movement, he said. "It is a landmark achievement in realising PM @narendramodi Ji's vision of all-inclusive development and providing a better future to the youths in Northeast India," he said.

The groups whose ban was extended for five years include the People's Liberation Army generally known as PLA and its political wing Revolutionary People's Front (RPF).