Manipur Congress Supports Meitei-Kuki Talks but Criticizes Delayed Action by Home Ministry
On Tuesday, the Manipur Congress expressed its support for the ongoing talks between Meitei and Kuki legislators in Delhi aimed at resolving the ethnic crisis in the state. However, the party criticized the Ministry of Home Affairs for delaying the discussions, asserting that earlier intervention could have saved many lives.
State Congress President K Meghachandra emphasized that the absence of key political figures, such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, weakened the significance of the talks, which were held 17 months after the outbreak of violence.
“We appreciate the dialogue and are hopeful it will help restore peace and normalcy. But had these talks been initiated earlier, we could have avoided the loss of precious lives,” Meghachandra said. He further noted that the meeting would have been more impactful if opposition members and civil society groups had been included, as the current discussion seemed restricted to government legislators.
The ethnic violence that began on May 3, 2023, has claimed the lives of over 220 people, including members of the Meitei and Kuki communities, as well as security personnel.
The talks, which included Meitei legislators such as Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Tongbram Robindro, and Th Basantakumar Singh, along with Kuki MLAs Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen, were seen as a step toward resolving the ongoing conflict. Naga representatives Ram Muivah, Awangbow Newmai, and L Dikho also participated in the discussions.
Meghachandra criticized the absence of Chief Minister Biren Singh, stating that as the head of the state, his presence was crucial. The lack of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s involvement also diminished the meeting’s impact, he added. “Their absence reflects negligence, rendering the talks incomplete,” Meghachandra remarked.
Kuki legislator Paolienlal Haokip, who was not invited to the talks, welcomed the initiative but stressed that the crisis requires a political solution. “This is not just a local conflict between villages. Ethnic cleansing has occurred, and many lives have been lost,” said Haokip, a strong advocate for Kuki rights.
Meanwhile, the United People’s Front (UPF), a Kuki militant group that signed the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Central and state governments, reiterated its demand for a separate administration for Manipur’s tribal communities. The UPF called for constitutional safeguards to protect their identity, culture, and resources.
The SoO agreement, first signed in 2008, involves the Indian government, the Manipur state government, and Kuki militant groups such as the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the UPF, and has been periodically renewed since.
