First Meeting Between Meitei, Kuki, and Naga MLAs to Resolve Ethnic Conflict in Manipur

For the first time to restore peace in the conflict-torn state after the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur about 17 months ago, MLAs from the Meitei, Kuki and Naga communities are going to meet here on Tuesday. Sources gave this information. The Home Ministry has called this meeting as part of an effort to resolve differences between the Meitei and Kuki communities, find an amicable solution to the ongoing conflict there and end the differences. Sources said that the meeting may be attended by Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh and MLA Thongam Biswajit Singh from the Meitei community and Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen (both ministers of state) from the Kuki community. MLAs Ram Muivah, Awangbo Newmai and L. Dikho will represent the Naga community.

Home Minister Amit Shah and Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh will not attend this meeting. About a month ago, Shah had said that there is a need for dialogue between the Kuki and Meitei communities to resolve the situation in Manipur and the Center is in discussion with both the groups, after which this meeting is taking place between the leaders of these groups.

Shah had made a similar statement while reviewing the security situation in Manipur on June 17. A statement issued by the Home Ministry said that the Home Minister underlined the importance of a coordinated approach to resolving the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state and said that "the Home Ministry will talk to both the groups - Meitei and Kuki at the earliest so that the ethnic division can be bridged."

Sources said that all the Naga, Kuki and Meitei MLAs and ministers who attended the meeting were invited by the Home Ministry through letters and telephone calls. Ten Kuki MLAs, including seven BJP MLAs, did not attend the assembly sessions held in the meantime. As per the wishes of the people of the Kuki community, the MLAs of the community have also stressed on the demand for a separate administration or union territory for the tribal people in Manipur. These 10 MLAs also include Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen, who are ministers in the Biren Singh-led government in Manipur.

Ethnic violence broke out on May 3 last year after a tribal unity march was taken out in the hill districts of the state to protest against the demand for Scheduled Caste status for the majority Meitei community in Manipur. More than 220 people from the Kuki and Meitei communities and security personnel have been killed in the violence that has been going on in the state since then.