New Delhi: The Centre held a meeting on Saturday with representatives from Manipur's warring Meitei and Kuki communities in a bid to secure lasting peace in the troubled state.

The discussions, which were part of the government's ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict that erupted in May 2023, aimed to rebuild trust and cooperation between the two communities.

Sources indicated that the primary goal of the meeting was to find a sustainable roadmap for restoring peace and normalcy in Manipur. The talks also focused on ensuring law and order, as well as facilitating reconciliation between the Meiteis and the Kukis.

Who participated in the meeting?

The six-member Meitei delegation included representatives from the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) and the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), while the Kuki delegation consisted of nine members.

A key participant in the talks was A K Mishra, the former special director of the Intelligence Bureau, who represented the central government as an interlocutor.

The discussions come on the heels of a Lok Sabha debate on Thursday, during which Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the ongoing crisis in Manipur. Shah highlighted the Ministry of Home Affairs' previous efforts, including multiple meetings with various organisations from both communities. He also stated that a joint meeting would soon be convened to address the situation more comprehensively.

While the government has been working on strategies to end the violence, Shah emphasised that the primary focus remains on establishing peace in the region. He reassured the public that the situation in Manipur is largely under control, citing the absence of deaths in the past four months. However, he acknowledged that the situation remains unsatisfactory, as many displaced people are still living in relief camps.

Efforts for peace

Following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh in February, President's rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13, with the state assembly placed under suspended animation. Since the onset of the ethnic violence in May 2023, more than 260 people have died, and thousands of arms were looted from police stations during the early stages of the conflict.

Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the newly appointed governor, has been actively engaging with various community leaders and groups to gauge the situation and gather feedback on restoring peace. Bhalla, a former Union home secretary, was handpicked by Shah to oversee the efforts to restore stability in the state. He has also taken steps to encourage the surrender of looted arms and has sought to reopen roads for normal traffic, though efforts have been hampered by opposition from the Kuki community.

Tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities escalated following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in the hill districts, which was organised to protest a ruling by the Manipur High Court regarding the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. The violence has since led to widespread displacement and continued unrest in the region, with both communities restricting travel through areas inhabited by the other.

The Centre’s continued dialogue with community leaders is viewed as a crucial step towards healing the rift and bringing lasting peace to the region.