Meeting of the MLAs in Delhi to Restore Peace In Manipur

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• Oct 15, 2024 | Kabita Pathak

The list of topics is not made public, the meeting is a part of overall attempts by the central government and the leaders to bring two sides to the negotiating table…

Digital Desk: In a momentous agreement, efforts are being made to end the violent conflict that erupted in Manipur in 2023, leading Meitei, Kuki, and Naga legislators to meet for the first time today in New Delhi. This meeting will be under the banner of the Union home ministry and is meant to help overcome dramatic hostility and bring consolidation after violence that has claimed over 250 lives and caused more than 60000 refugees. It is perceived as an effort towards bridging ethnic divisions prevalent among such groups.

There are approximately eighteen participants from legislative assemblies and a few established representatives from all three communities. Though the list of topics is not made public, the meeting is a part of overall attempts by the central government and the leaders to bring two sides to the negotiating table. For many participants, this is seen as a start in recognizing past cruelty and injustices and handling the crisis that has created havoc in the state of Manipur. However, Manipur’s Chief Minister Biren Singh will not attend the meeting.

According to reports, speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, MLA Thongam Biswajit, and representatives from the Kuki community, Letpao Haokip, and Nemcha Kipgen will attend the meeting. MLAs Ram Muviah, Awangbow Newmai, and L Dikho will present the Naga community.

While some civil groups from the Kuki and Meitei communities have had issues with broader representation, many see it as a positive step towards the long-over due peacemaking process.