UKHRUL: Members of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) of the Manipur Legislative Assembly came together on Thursday for a joint sitting, bringing Naga and Kuki-Zo legislators onto a common platform after a prolonged gap.
Fourteen HAC members participated in the meeting in hybrid format, with several joining through video conferencing. The sitting was described by HAC chairman Dinganglung Gangmei as a productive and meaningful deliberation on issues concerning the hill areas. No specific resolutions or decisions from the latest sitting had been made public at the time of reporting.
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In a post on X, Gangmei said the meeting enabled members to hold a “meaningful and threadbare discussion”, marked by constructive dialogue, mutual understanding and a shared commitment to the interests of the hill areas.
He described the sitting as “productive and successful” and said it reaffirmed the importance of collective deliberation and cooperation among the committee members.
Those who participated included deputy chief minister Losii Dikho; MLA Khashim Vashum (Chingai); MLA Leishiyo Keishing (Kamjong); MLA Kumo Sha (Karong); MLA Haokholet Kipgen (Saitu); MLA Ngasanglur Sanate (Tipaimukh); MLA Chinlunthang (Singhat); MLA Letzamang Haokip (Henglep); MLA Letpao Haokip (Tengnoupal); MLA LM Khuate (Churachandpur); MLA Janghemlung Panmei (Tamenglong); MLA Ram Muivah (Ukhrul); and MLA Paolienlal Haokip (Saikot), besides Gangmei.
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The latest sitting comes more than two years after Naga and Kuki legislators associated with the HAC held an informal joint meeting in Guwahati on February 23, 2024, amid the prevailing unrest in Manipur.
The 2024 meeting brought together five Naga and nine Kuki legislators. The members discussed issues concerning the HAC, matters to be raised during the forthcoming Assembly session and the prevailing situation in the state. The meeting also discussed seeking intervention from the Centre and other issues concerning the hill areas.
The Guwahati meeting was held outside Manipur because of the prevailing security situation and was described as an informal meeting of HAC members rather than a regular sitting of the committee.
The HAC subsequently continued to take up matters concerning the hill areas. On October 14, 2024, Resolution No. 59/2024-(HAC) was passed under the chairmanship of Dinganglung Gangmei. Section of Naga CSOs opposed the HAC adoption of resolution. The resolution concerned arrangements relating to the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) following the cancellation of caretaker chairmanships of the ADCs by the Manipur government. The resolution was subsequently challenged before the High Court of Manipur. It may be noted that the order was issued by the then Governor of Manipur, Lakshman Prasad Acharya on October 9, 2024.
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The latest meeting therefore marks a renewed joint engagement of Naga and Kuki-Zo members of the HAC after the 2024 Guwahati gathering, although the committee had continued to deal with hill-area and ADC-related matters during the intervening period.
