Manipur: Kuki MLAs reluctant to sit in joint meeting with Nagas, Meitei legislators

GUWAHATI: The first-ever peace meeting between Kuki, Meitei, and Naga MLAs of Manipur, organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi, ended without a resolution as six Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs expressed their reluctance to participate in future joint meetings with Meitei and Naga MLAs.

This marked the first meeting involving representatives of the three communities since ethnic violence erupted in the state on May 3, 2023.

The joint meeting ended up underscoring the deep divide between the Meitei and Kuki communities rather than finding common ground. Although the plan was to hold a joint session involving MLAs from the Meitei, Kuki, and Naga communities, MHA officials, led by AK Mishra, first held separate meetings with Kuki and Meitei-Naga MLAs.

Kuki MLAs, who have been advocating for a separate administration and territorial segregation, requested a private session to consult further with their Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and fellow representatives.

Of the 10 Kuki MLAs in Manipur’s assembly, only four attended the meeting, three of whom were from the BJP. The Kuki People's Alliance has reiterated its demand for a Union Territory with legislative powers, essential for ensuring peace.

On the other hand, Meitei and Naga MLAs, who met separately, expressed a desire for a peaceful and amicable solution to the conflict. Despite the MHA's efforts, the meeting exposed the complexity of the situation, with the Kuki MLAs unwilling to engage in a broader discussion without further consultation.

The ongoing ethnic violence, rooted in the ST status issue, has claimed over 250 lives and displaced around 50,000 people since it began in May 2023.

The situation remains tense, with no immediate resolution in sight.

The Kuki-Zo MLAs issued a statement shortly after the meeting in which they stressed that any future dialogues involving the communities must first undergo thorough deliberation with the public, signaling a cautious approach to negotiations.

The ethnic tensions in Manipur have created deep divides between these communities, making it challenging to find common ground.

The inconclusive nature of the meeting underscores the complexities of the situation and the need for broader consultation with community members to build trust before further joint discussions.

The Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs clarified that they met only with officials from the MHA during the peace talks and did not participate in a joint meeting with Meitei and Naga MLAs.

In their statement, they reiterated that they are representing the Kuki-Zo people, who are demanding a separate administrative arrangement or Union Territory (UT) with a legislature. The MLAs underscored that any peace discussions would be futile unless this political demand is addressed.

Furthermore, the Kuki-Zo MLAs emphasized that if there is a future need to meet with the Meitei and Naga representatives, they will only do so after consulting with Kuki-Zo civil society organizations (CSOs). They also expressed full confidence in the leadership of the Kuki National Organization (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF), confirming that their demands align entirely with those presented by these groups.

The MLAs called for an early resumption of political dialogue with the KNO-UPF leadership to push forward the demands of their community.

However, in an official statement, the MHA claimed that the peace meeting led to a unanimous resolution. The MLAs reportedly appealed to the people of the state, urging all communities to abandon violence and work towards peace, so that no more innocent lives are lost.

According to the MHA, 20 MLAs, including six Kuki-Zo representatives, participated in the meeting, which aimed to bring stability to the conflict-stricken state.

However, this account contrasts with the statement issued by the Kuki-Zo MLAs, who maintained that they had not participated in the joint meeting with Meitei and Naga MLAs, and insisted that any future meetings would only happen after consulting their community’s civil society organizations.

The Meitei Heritage Society (MHS) expressed optimism about a potential positive outcome from the recent peace meeting, viewing it as a "new beginning" in addressing the ethnic violence in Manipur.

A leader from MHS shared that, in their personal capacities, they had informal interactions with some Kuki-Zo civilians, who, despite the tensions, also wished for an end to the ongoing conflict. However, the leader acknowledged the fear and threats surrounding any attempts at reconciliation, noting that these civilians were hesitant even to take a photo together, despite sharing snacks and light-hearted moments. This underscores the deep mistrust and fear prevailing in the state due to the violence.

The meeting was attended by key officials from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the MHA. Dr. Sambit Patra, the BJP's North East Coordinator, and Dr Ajeet Gopchade, BJP's Manipur In-Charge, represented the party, while A.K. Mishra, the North East Advisor, and Rajesh Kumble, Joint Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) for the Northeast, participated on behalf of the MHA.

Despite the informal interactions and hopeful sentiments shared by the MHS, the reality of fear and intimidation remains a significant barrier to meaningful reconciliation between the communities. Nonetheless, the MHS sees the recent meeting as a step forward in the process of building peace in the state.