What’s Next for Manipur? Key Meeting Scheduled Amid Ongoing Ethnic Tensions

Tripartite Meeting Set to Address Manipur's Ethnic Conflict

Imphal: In a pivotal move, prominent groups from the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities are set to engage in a tripartite discussion with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi this Saturday, as confirmed by local leaders and officials on Friday.

This upcoming meeting marks the first of its kind since the outbreak of ethnic riots 23 months ago, which erupted between the non-tribal Meitei and the tribal Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities over the Meiteis' demand for tribal status.

While officials from the Manipur government have acknowledged the meeting, they have not revealed its agenda.

Community leaders from both the Kuki and Meitei factions indicated that A.K. Mishra, the MHA advisor for the northeastern region, extended invitations to their respective organizations.

Previously, Mishra conducted separate discussions with various groups from both communities in Manipur last month.

Last year, attempts were made by the MHA to convene a tripartite meeting, but the Kuki-Zo tribal organizations declined to meet with the Meitei representatives.

On January 17, leaders from the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), which comprises 13 organizations representing the Kuki-Zo tribal communities, met with senior MHA officials in New Delhi to discuss their demands and the current situation in the region.

The KZC delegation, led by Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet, engaged with A.K. Mishra and Joint Director Rajesh Kamble, although details of their discussions were not disclosed to the media.

The KZC, along with 10 tribal MLAs, is advocating for a separate administrative setup akin to a Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal areas.

Conversely, Meitei organizations are calling for action against militant activities, drug trafficking, illegal immigration from Myanmar, and the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Since the violence erupted on May 3, 2023, over 250 lives have been lost, and more than 1,500 individuals have sustained injuries in the clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

Additionally, more than 60,000 people have been displaced from their homes, currently residing in relief camps across various districts for the past 23 months.