In a significant development aimed at ending nearly two years of ethnic strife in Manipur, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has presented a six-point resolution as a potential roadmap to peace. The initiative follows landmark face-to-face talks held on April 5 between Meitei and Kuki-Zo community leaders, facilitated by the MHA in New Delhi. This is the first formal interaction between representatives of the warring communities since violence erupted in May 2023, claiming over 260 lives and displacing thousands. The conflict, rooted in long-standing ethnic and political differences between the valley-based Meiteis and hill-dwelling Kukis, has plunged the northeastern state into prolonged instability. The six-point resolution was shared with a joint delegation of Meitei civil society groups, including the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) and the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS). Their counterparts from the Kuki-Zo Council also participated, marking a major milestone in the Centre’s attempt to bring both communities to the negotiation table.
Addressing a press conference on April 7, AMUCO president Nando Luwang said, “We were invited verbally by the MHA for a dialogue. We went without any preconditions and highlighted the aspirations and concerns of our people. It was a constructive session.” Luwang added that MHA official AK Mishra, who facilitated the meeting, urged both sides to focus on solutions instead of engaging in blame games. After hours of discussions, the ministry formulated a six-point resolution, which was shared with all attendees for their views.“We gave our approval after reviewing the points. The resolution reflects a balanced and practical approach to peacebuilding. The Home Ministry has also urged all civil society groups to appeal to people on both sides to renounce violence and adopt restraint,” Luwang said. Importantly, the resolution underlines that long-standing disputes and demands from all sides will be addressed through continued dialogue and consultation with the communities involved. The Centre has also hinted at holding future rounds of talks to ensure a sustainable and inclusive peace process.
BM Shah, acting president of FOCS, affirmed their support to the process but also made it clear that any future agreement must uphold Manipur’s territorial integrity. “We are committed to peace, but Manipur’s unity must remain intact,” he said.The April 5 meeting gains importance against the backdrop of an earlier failed attempt in October 2024, when the Centre tried to bring together Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and Naga MLAs for a joint discussion. However, due to prevailing tensions, the legislators opted to meet central interlocutors separately despite being at the same venue.The situation in Manipur worsened earlier this year when President’s Rule was imposed on February 13, following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh on February 9. The state assembly, whose term lasts until 2027, remains under suspended animation. The violence, which began in May 2023, led to the looting of several thousand firearms from police stations, deepening the law-and-order crisis. Since then, efforts to restore peace have seen limited success—until now.
