MLAs push for collective effort to bring back peace in Manipur

Guwahati: MLAs from Manipur have returned from New Delhi after attending a meeting with the Centre, expressing optimism for future joint meetings aimed at restoring normalcy in the state.
The discussions in New Delhi included MLAs and ministers from the Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and Naga communities. Water resources minister Awangbow Newmai pointed out that while the talks had several positives, sustained peace will require collective effort from all sides.
However, Kuki-Zo legislators said a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo community is necessary for any peace dialogue.
Newmai, who is from the Naga community, thanked the Union home ministry for initiating the discussions, which took place on Tuesday. The opposition Congress expressed disappointment at the absence of the Union home minister and Manipur chief minister at such a critical meeting.
“Talks had lots of positives but collective effort from all sides is required to bring lasting peace,” Newmai told media persons in Imphal after returning from New Delhi on Wednesday.
Newmai noted the importance of frequent meetings, stating that everyone is longing for peace and stressed the need to find the best solutions for everyone involved.
“I am grateful to the Home Ministry for taking this initiative. We need frequent meetings because everyone is longing for peace. We have to hammer out what is best for everyone,” said Newmai. He suggested that more such meetings are on the horizon.
He emphasised the importance of dialogue between the Meitei and Kuki communities, expressing his gratitude to the Home Ministry for facilitating these initial steps.
“Yesterday was just the initial meeting,” he said. “The Union home ministry is taking lots of positive steps now. In order to bring peace, one has to sit together, discuss, sort out the differences, and collectively try to bring what is best for the people,” he added.
Tuesday’s meeting marked the first time since last year’s outbreak of violence in Manipur that MLAs from the Meitei, Kuki-Zo-Hmar, and Naga communities gathered. However, the Kuki-Zo community maintains that their demand for a Union Territory with a legislature is a critical condition for peace.
Following the meeting, the Kuki-Zo MLAs clarified that they met only with Ministry of Home Affairs officials and did not participate in the joint meeting involving the Meitei and Naga MLAs.
Meanwhile, the Thadou Community International (TCI), representing the largest among the recognised Scheduled Tribes of Manipur, viewed the meeting as a beacon of hope for the state.
“Violence in any manner must be shunned because more violence brings no gain but only more destruction and loss. This is especially true of the Thadou people as we are the most affected, yet silenced victims caught up in the senseless violence,” TCI said in a release.