Manipur: Meitei, Kuki leaders meet for first time after outbreak of ethnic violence
Security personnel stand guard following imposition of President's rule in the state, in Imphal | PTI
Representatives of the warring Meitei and Kuki communities met face-to-face on Saturday for the first time after the ethnic violence broke out in Manipur two years ago.
The five-hour long meeting was held at the aegis of Union Home Ministry as part of the central government’s initiatives to restore peace in the strife-torn northeast state.
Though what transpired at the meeting is not immediately known, according to reports, the two sides reviewed the ground situation in the state and agreed to continue their dialogue to find an amicable solution to end the conflict.
The meeting also stressed on maintaining law and order and facilitating reconciliation between the two communities, PTI quoted sources as saying.
The meeting comes just three months after Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the former Union home secretary, took charge as the governor of Manipur. Ever since he assumed office, Bhalla has been meeting people from various sections of society and taking feedback from them on how to restore peace in the state.
Representatives from the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) and the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) were part of the six-member Meitei delegation, while the Kuki delegation comprised nine representatives from the Kuki-Zo Council.
Central government interlocutor A.K. Mishra and Manipur chief secretary Prashant Kumar Singh were present at the first direct meeting between the warring communities.
Violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023 following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' organised in the hill districts to protest against an order of the High Court which granted Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community.
About 260 people have lost their lives while thousands of people have been displaced.
The state has been under President’s Rule after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned in February. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.
India