NEW DELHI, April 5: In a renewed effort to address the ethnic strife in Manipur, the Central government on Saturday convened a high-level tripartite meeting involving representatives from the Meitei and Kuki communities. This dialogue is part of ongoing attempts to create a roadmap toward reconciliation and lasting peace in the conflict-hit northeastern state.
According to official sources, the meeting emphasized trust-building and cooperation between the two communities, whose clashes since May 2023 have claimed over 260 lives and displaced thousands.
The discussions focused on restoring law and order and returning normalcy to the state. The Meitei delegation consisted of six members, including representatives from the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation and the Federation of Civil Society Organisations. The Kuki delegation was represented by nine members.
The Centre’s team was led by retired Intelligence Bureau Special Director A.K. Mishra, who has been actively involved in facilitating peace talks in the region.
This outreach follows a statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Shah informed Parliament that the Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier conducted separate consultations with both communities and their respective organizations. He also confirmed that a joint meeting would be convened soon to take the peace process forward.
While Shah claimed that the situation in Manipur has been “largely under control”—citing no fatalities in the last four months—he acknowledged that challenges remain. Thousands of displaced persons are still residing in relief camps, and normal life has not fully resumed.
