Talks start but rough phase ahead in conflict-torn Manipur's path to peace

Guwahati: The Centre on Tuesday held the first meeting with MLAs from conflict-torn Manipur but signs of a tough road ahead were visible with the legislators representing the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities remaining firm on their demands.

The MLAs representing the Kuki-Zo communities refused to meet their Meitei counterparts saying a decision regarding the community's demand for a "separate administration" is the "prerequisite for peace". Sources said the Meitei MLAs, on the other hand, strongly opposed the demand and vouched for maintaining "territorial integrity of Manipur by any means".

Sources said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) wanted a joint meeting of the Kuki, Meitei and Naga MLAs but Kuki MLAs' refusal to meet their Meitei counterparts caused embarrassment to the officials and central leaders of ruling BJP.

"We represent the people and people want a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory with a legislature. The talk of peace will be meaningless if the people's demands are not met. In case there is a need to sit with the Meitei and the Nagas in the future, we will be able to do so after consulting the Kuki-Zo civil society organisations," said a statement issued by the Kuki-Zo MLAs, who attended the separate meeting with the MHA and BJP leaders in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The Kuki-Zo communities have been demanding that a "separate administration" comprising Kuki-Zo-dominated districts in Manipur, is the way forward for ending the conflict with the Meiteis since May last year. Since the violence broke out, 10 MLAs representing the Kuki-Zo communities including seven belonging to ruling BJP, left the Meitei-dominated Imphal valley and even skipped the sessions of Manipur Assembly citing safety concerns. A "buffer zone" manned by the central forces has kept the Meiteis away from the Kukis, in order to avert further violence. The Kuki-Zo organisations have also been demanding action against the insurgent groups belonging to the Meiteis.

The Meitei legislators, who attended the meeting in New Delhi, also strongly put forward the demands of the Meiteis, which included their opposition to the demand for a "separate administration", abrogation of the suspension of operations agreement signed with the 25 Kuki-Zo rebel groups in 2008 and eradication of poppy cultivation in the Kuki-dominated hills.

A BJP leader in Manipur said although it was the first meeting of the MLAs to break the ice for ending the conflict, a tough road awaits as leaders of both the communities have remained firm on their demands.

"Since both the communities submitted their charter of demands to the MHA and the Prime Minister several times, the Centre should first work out action plans, share those with the civil society organisations and convince them to adopt a give-and-take policy before having a meeting publicly. The civil society organisations are very influential in the Northeast, including among the Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur and the MLAs cannot take a decision without endorsement of such groups," he said.

Sources said the MHA officials stressed on continuing meetings to break the ice but could not finalise the date for next meeting due to the firm stand of the MLAs.