National Desk
15 October
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
For the first time in 17 months, a meeting was held today between 20 MLAs from the Matei and Kuki communities in an effort to restore peace in riot-affected Manipur. The meeting, which lasted more than two hours, aimed to address the communal violence that has plagued the state. BJP MLA Sambit Patra and three MLAs from the Naga community also attended the meeting. The Union Home Ministry’s interlocutor, AK Mishra, along with other senior officials, was present, but Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh were notably absent.
The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs to find a solution to the ongoing conflict between the Matei and Kuki communities and to resolve their differences peacefully. Sources indicated that the Kuki MLAs emphasized their demand for a separate administration or union territory for Scheduled Tribes in Manipur, in line with their community’s wishes.
During the meeting, leaders from both communities urged all groups to abandon violence and work towards peace. While no definite solution was reached, the talks were seen as a step toward progress, with a commitment to continue discussions in the future. The Ministry of Home Affairs expressed optimism, calling it a “miracle” that representatives from different communities were able to meet under one roof. The Ministry hopes this will pave the way for further dialogue.
Representing the Matei community were Speaker Thokchom Satyabrat Singh and MLAs Thongam Basantkumar Singh and Taungbram Rabindro. Ministers Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen attended on behalf of the Kuki community, while MLAs Ram Muivah, Awangbo Newmai, and L Dikho represented the Naga community.