In an important development for Manipur, peace talks between Kukis and Meiteis will be conducted by the ministry of home affairs in Delhi on Tuesday, October 15. Leaders from the troubled state of Naga have also been invited to participate in the meeting. The meeting between the two conflicting parties will be the first time they come together since May 3, 2023, to discuss ways to resolve the ethnic disputes.
MLA Thongam Biswajit, Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata, ministers Thounaojam Basantakumar, Khongbantabam Ibomcha, Dr. Sapam Ranjan, Thokchom Radheshyam, Tongbram Robindro, and others are reportedly anticipated to attend the high-level meeting with representatives from the home ministry and IB.
The Kuki community held internal discussions to decide their position till late Monday, October 14. Community leaders Letpao Haokip, Paolienlal Haokip, and Haokholet Kipgen have been asked to attend the meeting. Speaking anonymously, a Kuki politician said that Kuki-Zo MLAs had remained firm in their refusal to hold talks with Naga MLAs or the Manipur administration. Just (have discussions) with the Center alone.
A peace committee was formed by the Center on June 10 of last year, but the Kukis rejected it due to the involvement of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Biren Singh’s second effort, which was chaired by Naga BJP MLA Dinganglung Gangmei, likewise didn’t work out. The Center was hopeful that six of the ten Kuki MLAs will take part in the peace talks this time. It is anticipated that Ram Muivah, L Dikho, and Awangbow Newmai would represent the Naga team.
A Meitei community representative expressed hope that the Centre overseeing the talks in Delhi may significantly advance peace efforts. “We all belong to the same family.” Whatever happened has already happened. We need to start acting more proactively. Both sides must express their views, according to a Meitei group MLA who was invited to the talks.