Manipur Peace Talks Tomorrow: MHA Invites Kukis & Meiteis For 'Freewheeling Discussion' To End Violence

In a significant move for Manipur, the ministry of home affairs will hold peace talks with Kukis and Meiteis in Delhi on Tuesday (October 15). Naga leaders from the strife-torn state have also been invited for the meeting.

This will be the first time since May 3, 2023, that the two warring communities will sit across the table to find a solution to the ethnic clashes. Sources told CNN-News18 that there is no fixed agenda for the meeting as of now.

“It will be a freewheeling discussion between the two sides,” a Meitei leader told CNN-News18.

State ministers, MLAs and the assembly speaker have also been invited. Sources further said some leaders, who are likely to take part in the top-level meeting with home ministry and IB officials include MLA Thongam Biswajit, Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata, ministers Thounaojam Basantakumar, Khongbantabam Ibomcha, Dr Sapam Ranjan, Thokchom Radheshyam, Tongbram Robindro among others.

Till late on Monday (October 14), the Kuki community held internal meetings to decide on their stand. Leaders like Letpao Haokip, Paolienlal Haokip and Haokholet Kipgen are those from the community who have been invited for the meeting.

A Kuki leader, on condition of anonymity, said the stand of Kuki-Zo MLAs so far has been to “not hold dialogue with the Manipur government, including Naga MLAs. But (hold talks) only with the Centre”.

On June 10 last year, the Centre had set up a peace committee but the Kukis rejected it on the grounds that Chief Minister N Biren Singh was part of it. A second initiative by Biren Singh under the chairmanship of Naga BJP MLA Dinganglung Gangmei was also a non-starter.

The Centre, however, was hopeful that this time six out of the 10 Kuki MLAs could join the peace talks. The Naga side is likely to be represented by Awangbow Newmai, L Dikho and Ram Muivah.

Mao MLA Dikho told CNN-News18 that he is really hopeful of a positive outcome. “Good thing about this initiative is that all communities have been invited. Meitei and Kukis are the primary stakeholders, Naga community is here to facilitate whatever steps are needed for peace,” he said.

A Meitei leader also expressed hope that the Centre leading the talks in Delhi could provide a much-needed push to peace efforts. “We are all brothers. Whatever has happened, has happened. We need to initiate some positive steps. Both sides must express themselves,” said an MLA from the Meitei side, who has been invited for the talks.