GUWAHATI: Manipur CM N Biren Singh said on Sunday that his government was close to signing a peace accord with “a big underground militant group.” The announcement comes a day after the killing of a 21-year-old tribal by suspected rebels in Kangpokpi, the fifth such fatality this month in the conflict-ridden state.While Biren Singh didn’t identify the outfit, sources said it was a valley-based armed group.The state government has been in talks with the United National Liberation Front (Pambei faction), one among several “Meitei extremist outfits and their factions” against whom the Centre recently extended its ban by five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.On the outfit’s 59th anniversary on Friday, its general secretary Ch Thanil said his group would soon sign a ceasefire and start talks with the Centre.After the outbreak of ethnic violence in May, Biren had blamed the unrest on the alleged involvement of militants and infiltrators from Myanmar.

Over 180 people have been killed and injured in the fighting between two communities has continued for eight months now.