NEW DELHI, July 11: In a significant development aimed at resolving the prolonged ethnic conflict in Manipur, the Centre is preparing to bring leaders from both the Kuki and Meitei communities to the negotiating table for a joint peace meeting, likely to take place in November or December this year, according to a report by The New Indian Express.

Since the outbreak of ethnic clashes in May 2023, Manipur has been grappling with a volatile security situation. However, recent peace efforts—including three separate rounds of negotiations with each community—have been described as “constructive” by officials involved. “In their meetings with MHA officials, both sides indicated a willingness to restore peace and normalcy,” a senior official said on condition of anonymity.

Officials credit improved ground conditions and a drop in armed confrontations to a combination of factors, including stronger coordination among central forces, increased community-level engagement, and a growing readiness among rival factions to pursue dialogue. There has also been a breakthrough in securing uninterrupted movement of essential goods from the state capital Imphal to remote hill districts, which was earlier severely disrupted due to blockades and violence.

Efforts by security agencies have led to major seizures of illegal weapons and stepped-up operations against insurgent and extortion networks. In the latest crackdown, joint teams comprising Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, Indian Army, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) conducted coordinated search operations from July 3 midnight to the morning of July 4 in the hill districts of Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Chandel, and Churachandpur. Based on specific intelligence inputs, the teams recovered large caches of arms, ammunition, explosives, and other warlike materials from concealed hideouts.

These efforts come in the wake of an earlier appeal made by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla for the surrender of illegal arms. Since then, a total of 1,089 weapons have been voluntarily handed over, bringing the cumulative total to 5,859 weapons recovered. The single largest recovery was made on the night of June 13–14, when 328 weapons were seized across five districts in the Imphal Valley.

Security forces have also intensified actions against extortion-related crimes. More than 600 such cases have been registered, over 320 individuals arrested, and nearly a dozen underground operatives from different militant groups apprehended.