Manipur’s ethnic violence may have subsided in May 2023 from extremists carried out by the state, however, resentment between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur still burns. Strong efforts by the state and the Center for peace talks have fallen apart as members of the Meitei community, and the Kukis, have refrained from getting involved.
The Kuki community was the first to register its dissatisfaction with the Chief Minister’s work. N Biren Singh, Several Kuki organizations had objected to the inclusion of Chief Minister N Biren Singh in the 51-member panel headed by Governor Anusuiya Uikey.
The apex body of Kuki Impi Manipur (KIM) said in a statement that its president has been included in the list of members “without prior and proper consultation and information”.
immediately after the major Meitei Civil society groups, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integration (COCOMI) have vehemently rejected the appointment of its convenor Jitendra Ningomba as a member.
The Meitei group has denied being part of the peace committee, saying that peace cannot be achieved without withdrawing the suspension of operations (SOO) with the insurgents, and the issues of “narco-terrorism” and illegal immigration are addressed effectively.
The state-level peace committee constituted on June 10 is headed by Governor Anusuiya Uikey and includes 51 key stakeholders such as Chief Minister N Biren Singh, parliamentariansMinisters, MLAs and others.
A month ago, at least 100 people lost their lives and 310 others were injured in caste violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur. Army and paramilitary personnel have been deployed to restore peace in the state.
Curfew remained in force in 11 of Manipur’s 16 districts, while internet services remained suspended in the entire northeastern state.
Clashes first broke out on May 3 after a ‘tribal solidarity march’ was organized in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community’s demand. Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meites constitute about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and mostly live in the Imphal Valley. The tribal Nagas and Kukis constitute 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
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Updated: June 13, 2023, 05:35 PM IST