Manipur peace talks: Kuki MLAs refuse to hold joint meeting

The much-anticipated meeting between the Centre and Manipur MLAs on Tuesday, aimed at resolving the 17-month-long ethnic violence in the state, ended inconclusively as Kuki legislators refused to share the table with their Meitei and Naga counterparts. Instead, four Kuki MLAs held separate discussions with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials, reiterating their demand for a separate administration for their community.

Sources familiar with the situation revealed that the Kuki MLAs conveyed their reluctance to participate in any joint meetings with Meitei and Naga legislators. They emphasised that such meetings should only take place after thorough discussions with the public.

Following the meeting with Meitei and Naga legislators, the MHA issued an official statement, stating, “A group of elected members of the Manipur Assembly, representing Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Meitei, and Naga communities, met in New Delhi today to discuss the current scenario in the state. The meeting unanimously resolved to appeal to the people of the state, belonging to all communities, to shun violence to prevent the loss of innocent lives.”

Despite arriving with nine Meitei MLAs and three Naga MLAs from Manipur for talks with MHA officials, the Kuki legislators declined to participate in the joint deliberations. They later met the central team separately to press their demands.

The official meeting between the MHA and the Manipur MLAs, including the Kuki representatives, was scheduled for 1.30 pm at North Block. However, the Kuki MLAs skipped the joint session and opted for individual discussions with the MHA team later.

During their separate meeting, the Kuki MLAs reiterated their commitment to advocating for their community’s interests. They emphasised that a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo community is a non-negotiable prerequisite for any peace dialogue. They also expressed full confidence in the leadership of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United Peoples Front (UPF) and confirmed that they have no demands beyond those already presented by these groups, namely the call for a separate administration.

Additionally, the Kuki legislators urged the MHA to expedite political dialogue with the KNO-UPF leadership.

The four Kuki MLAs present at the meeting with the MHA officials included Pu Haokholet Kipgen, Pu Letpao Haokip, Pu Ngursanglur Sanate, and Pi Nemcha Kipgen. The fifth MLA, Paolilien Haokip, was absent from the meeting.

Representing the MHA in the talks were Ajeet Gopchade, who is in charge of Manipur at the MHA; the Centre’s interlocutor for Manipur, AK Mishra; and Joint Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Rajesh Kamble. BJP MP Sambit Patra, the party’s Northeast coordinator, was also present, according to sources.

The talks were part of the Centre’s efforts, initiated after Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement last month, to engage with both Kuki and Meitei groups to find a solution and restore peace in the violence-hit state.