New Delhi: A glimmer of hope shines amid the turmoil in Manipur, as a crucial meeting has been convened in Delhi, bringing together leaders from the Meitei, Kuki and Naga communities. This is the first meeting of its kind in nearly one and a half years, a desperate attempt to bridge the widening chasm between the warring groups.
The meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, is expected to be the first step towards a much-needed peace process in the state. Key representatives from each community, including MLAs and ministers, have been invited, representing a diverse cross-section of Manipur’s political landscape.
The Meitei community, represented by Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh and MLA Thongam Biswajit Singh, will join the meeting along with representatives from the Kuki community – Ministers Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen. The Naga community will be represented by MLAs Ram Muivah, Awangbow Newmai and L Dikho.
This high-level dialogue comes on the heels of Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement, emphasising the importance of dialogue between the warring groups. Shah had stated that resolving the Manipur conflict demands open communication and a collaborative approach to bridge the ethnic divide.
The meeting holds significant weight as the ongoing violence has shattered the state’s fragile peace. Over 220 people have lost their lives since the outbreak of violence in May 2023, stemming from the Kuki community’s opposition to the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
The absence of 10 Kuki MLAs, including seven BJP legislators, from recent assembly sessions further emphasises the tense atmosphere and the difficulty in forging a consensus.
