Ukhrul: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) initiated the first round of formal peace talks on the ongoing Manipur crisis on Tuesday in New Delhi. The talks, which began shortly after noon, involved separate sessions with Meitei, Kuki-Zo-Hmar, and Naga MLAs to address the prolonged violence and unrest in Manipur since May 3, 2023.
According to reliable sources, the discussions commenced at 12:30 PM, with six Kuki-Zo-Hmar representatives, including Minister Letpao Haokip, MLA Paolienlal Haokip, and MLA Haokholet Kipgen. This was followed by separate meetings at 1:30 PM with Meitei and Naga MLAs.
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The Meitei delegation at the talks included Minister Thongam Biswajit, Minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan, Minister Thounaojam Basantakumar, Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata, MLA Kh. Ibomcha, MLA Thokchom Radheshyam, and MLA Tongbram Robindro. The Naga representatives present were Minister Awangbou Newmai, MLA Losii Dikho, and MLA Ram Muivah.
A report in The Wire stated that Home Minister Amit Shah was not present at the meeting held on Tuesday. The Wire was quoted reporting, “The MLAs had expected Shah’s presence to lend more weight to the first peace talk by the home ministry,” as per the news outlet source.
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In another report, The Hindu said that all the three communities from Manipur ““unanimously resolved” to appeal to the people of all communities in the State to “shun the path of violence so that no more precious lives of innocent citizens are lost””. The Hindu report also said that “shortly after the meeting, the Kuki-Zo MLAs issued a statement clarifying that they met only with Central government officials and BJP leaders in a separate room and did not attend the meeting where Meitei MLAs were present along with their Naga counterparts.”
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During the discussions, Meitei MLAs reportedly urged the MHA to include other stakeholders, such as Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), in future negotiations.
The violence in Manipur, which has persisted for over 18 months, has severely disrupted the state’s communal harmony, leaving thousands displaced and living in relief camps across the region. The prolonged violence and unrest in Manipur has claimed over 220 lives and displaced more than 60,000 people.
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