Centre’s Major Peace Push for Manipur: Talks with Meitei, Kuki, and Naga Leaders Tomorrow in Delhi

This first face-to-face meeting aims to resolve the over a year-and-half long ethnic unrest that has claimed 250 lives and displaced 60,000.

In its biggest peace-making initiative since ethnic riots broke out in Manipur on May 3 last year, the Centre will hold talks with Meitei, Kuki and Naga ministers and MLAs in New Delhi tomorrow.
Political sources in Imphal said Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be directly monitoring the talks that will be held at the North Block, the headquarters of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

This will be the first face to face meeting between the 10 Kuki Zo MLAs and the Meitei legislators ever since the violence between the two communities that has entered the 16th month. Few meetings between Kuki and Naga legislators have, however, been held over the situation.

Northeast Live has already reported on Sunday about the Centre’s silent peace initiatives to resolve the Manipur crisis that has already taken around 250 lives besides displacing 60,000 others.

Among the legislators who are expected to attend tomorrow’s meeting are Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata, Ministers Thongam Biswajit, Thounaojam Basantakumar, Thokchom Radheshyam and Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh from the Meitei side and Letpao Haokip, Paolenlal Haokip, H. Kipgen and some others from the Kuki side. As per latest information 6 of the 10 Kuki MLAs are attending the meeting.
Naga legislators Awangbow Newmai, Ram Muivah and L. Dikho are already in Delhi for the meeting.
On Sunday, Chief Minister N Biren Singh held a meeting with some of the legislators who will be attending the meeting tomorrow.

It is now left to be seen whether this big peace move by the Centre will yield results. But what is significant is the initiative itself that may go a long way in restoring peace in the troubled Frontier state.

Speaking to reporters before his departure to New Delhi, Minister Awangbou Newmai stated, “We have been called to discuss certain matters, although the exact agenda is still unclear. From the very beginning, we have been exploring all possible avenues to bring peace to the state.”

Meanwhile, Opposition MLA and State Congress Chief, Keisham Meghachandra said, “There has been no information shared with the Opposition. The issue is extremely serious. If the outcome of the meeting benefits the people of Manipur, it will be welcomed. However, in a democratic country, the participation of the opposition is essential.”

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