Manipur Meitei, Kuki MLAs hold first joint meeting with Centre in peace bid

NEW DELHI: In a bid to stop ethnic violence in Manipur , Around 20 MLAs belonging to the warring Meitei and Kuki communities of Manipur met here on Tuesday for the first time since ethnic violence broke out in the northeastern state 17 months ago. As part of efforts to iron out differences between the Meiteis and Kukis in the northeastern state, Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) MP Sambit Patra and three MLAs from the Naga community were also present at the over-two-hour-long meeting convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh were not present in the meeting. Centre's interlocutor, A K Mishra, and other senior officials were present.

MHA in a statement said that a group of elected members of the Manipur Assembly, representing the Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Meitei and Naga communities, met here to contemplate on the current state of affairs in the state.

The statement said, "The meeting unanimously resolved to appeal to the people of the state belonging to all communities to shun the path of violence so that no more precious lives of innocent citizens are lost."

Since May 3, 2023, this was the first time Meitei and Kuki MLAs were in a same room. In the last year and a half, none of the 10 Kuki MLAs set foot in the Meitei-dominated Imphal valley and state capital Imphal. They have also given all the Assembly sessions held since then a miss.

According to the sources, both sides put forth the views and grievances of the two communities and their sufferings during the long disorder.

The sources added that the MLAs also discussed the way ahead in coming days, however, nothing material could be achieved.

"It was a good beginning. We were not expecting a miracle at the first meeting but it is an achievement that we could bring MLAs of the two communities under the same roof. We hope that they will meet again in the near future so that a peaceful solution is found," a source privy to the deliberations said.

The sources further stated that Patra is the BJP's coordinator for the northeast and played a key role in bringing the MLAs to the capital.

The sources added that efforts will be made for similar meetings of civil society groups of the Meitei and Kuki communities so that their differences could be ironed out and peace be restored in the state.

Those who attended the meeting included state Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Tongbram Robindro, Th. Basantakumar Singh from the Meitei side and Kuki MLAs Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen (both state ministers).

The Naga community was represented by MLAs Ram Muivah, Awangbow Newmai and L Dikho, the sources said.

This meeting follows Shah’s previous statement emphasizing dialogue between the Kuki and Meitei communities to resolve tensions. On June 17, Shah reviewed the security situation in Manipur and reiterated the need for a coordinated approach. An MHA statement highlighted the importance of bridging the ethnic divide, stating, "MHA will talk to both the groups, Meiteis and Kukis, so as to bridge the ethnic divide, at the earliest."

The MHA invited all attending MLAs and ministers through letters and phone calls. Notably, ten Kuki MLAs, including seven from the BJP, have missed recent assembly sessions and have requested separate administrations or Union Territory status for the tribe.

Ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 last year following a tribal solidarity march protesting the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Over 220 people, including Kuki and Meitei community members and security personnel, have died since then.

(With inputs from PTI)