Meitei, Kuki-Zo peace talks in Delhi end without resolution to Manipur conflict

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday held a meeting in New Delhi with representatives from Meitei and Kuki-Zo organisations to resolve the ethnic conflict that began in Manipur nearly two years ago, The Indian Express reported.

This was the first formal meeting between both sides since the violence broke out in May 2023. However, delegates said no resolution was reached.

The meeting was attended by representatives from two Meitei organisations – All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation and the Federation of Civil Society Organisations – and two Kuki-Zo organisations: the Kuki-Zo Council and the Zomi Council.

It was led by AK Mishra, adviser to the Union home ministry on North East affairs.

Manipur has been mired in ethnic conflict between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar communities that broke out in May 2023 and has since left at least 258 dead and displaced more than 59,000.

President’s Rule was imposed in February this year after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned.

At the meeting on Saturday, officials presented a draft agreement or a joint resolution for consideration by both sides, The Indian Express quoted an unidentified delegate as saying.

The draft included an appeal for both sides to refrain from violence, cooperate in the recovery of arms, and allow the free movement of traffic on highways, the report said.

It also proposed...

Read more

News