Imphal, April 4: In a significant development aimed at addressing the ongoing ethnic unrest in Manipur, representatives of the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities are expected to hold their first tripartite meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi on Saturday.
This will be the first formal meeting involving both communities and the Centre since ethnic violence erupted nearly 23 months ago, following the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The conflict has since resulted in widespread displacement, casualties, even as tension continues to shimmer between the communities across the state.
While Manipur government officials have confirmed the meeting, they have not disclosed the agenda. The meeting is being coordinated by A.K. Mishra, Advisor to the MHA for Northeast Affairs, who had earlier held separate consultations with organisations representing both the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur.
According to community leaders, Mishra formally invited representatives from both sides to participate in the tripartite dialogue. A similar attempt to hold such a meeting last year failed after Kuki-Zo tribal organisations declined to meet Meitei leaders.
On January 17, leaders from the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), a collective of 13 tribal organisations, held talks with senior MHA officials in New Delhi, where they outlined key demands and concerns. The Kuki-Zo leadership presented three non-negotiable preconditions for any cessation of hostilities: a ban on cross-movement between Meitei and Kuki-Zo areas, the initiation of structured dialogue during the ceasefire, and a six-month period for the cessation of hostilities.
That consultation saw the participation of several influential bodies and individuals, including the Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association, Kuki Inpi, student unions, women’s groups, social activists, and community elders.
While the Kuki-Zo leadership and 10 tribal MLAs continue to demand a separate administration, akin to Union Territory status, for tribal-dominated regions, Meitei organisations have placed their focus on other concerns. These include strong action against militancy and the drug trade, preventing infiltration from Myanmar, and the introduction of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur.
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