Manipur MLAs bridge ethnic divide to make trip to Delhi, though versions vary on what transpired

“A group of elected members of Manipur Assembly, representing Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Meitei and Naga communities, met in New Delhi today to discuss the current scenario in the state. The meeting unanimously resolved to appeal to the people of the state belonging to all communities to shun the path of violence so that no more precious lives of innocent citizens are lost,” read a statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The central government was represented by the Centre’s Northeast Advisor A K Mishra and Intelligence Bureau Joint Director Rajesh Kamble. While this was a meeting convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs, it was also attended by two BJP representatives – the party’s coordinator for the Northeast Sambit Patra and BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra Ajeet Gopchade.

While all those who attended the meeting remained tight-lipped, one of the Meitei MLAs told The Indian Express that it was “positive” and a “starting point for peace”. A close aide of one of the Naga MLAs who attended the meeting said that the MLAs of the three communities had met together. However, the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs put out a statement issued in the name of Kuki People’s Alliance MLA Chinlunthang, saying that the four MLAs from the community had met the Centre’s representatives separately to push their demand for separate administration instead of meeting with the Naga and Meitei MLAs.

“In the meeting between the Kuki-Zo MLAs and the Government of India, the Kuki-Zo representatives affirmed that they are representing the voice of the people and will advocate solely for the people. They further assert that a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo community is a prerequisite for any peace dialogue… (they) expressed reluctance to participate in any joint (meeting) with the Meitei and Naga MLAs. They emphasised any such meetings should only occur after thorough deliberation with the public,” read the statement.

So far, there has not been any significant breakthrough in discussions between leaders of both the communities in conflict with each other. Even though the Manipur Legislative Assembly has convened thrice since the start of the conflict, the Kuki-Zomi MLAs have not attended any of the sessions, citing threat to their personal safety in travelling to Imphal.

In June 2023, the Centre had created a 51-member “peace committee” headed by then Governor Anusuiya Uikey. However, this was not a success, with representatives from both sides appointed to the committee refusing to come to the table for talks. Kuki-Zomi MLAs have met with Naga MLA Dinganglung Gangmei, who had been appointed as an “emissary” by N Biren Singh, but he had told The Indian Express that the function of these meetings was limited to bringing MLAs from both communities to the table. Any significant talks or negotiations, he had said, would have to be mediated by the Centre.