Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials separately met Kuki-Zo and Meitei civil society groups in Manipur on March 11 and 12 respectively amid blockade of national highways by the Kuki-Zo groups since March 8 violence in the strife-torn State.
A.K Mishra, adviser, MHA, Northeast and other officials on March 11 met members of the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), Zomi Council and representatives from Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), Kangpokpi, Chandel, Pherzawl and Jiribam in the hill district of Churachandpur and informed them about a 13-point action plan by the Union government to restore normalcy in Manipur.
The meeting lasted three hours but did not lead to any “concrete decision,” one of the members who attended the meeting said, adding that the meeting was adjourned for further discussion in future.
“The topics discussed were mainly the March 8 violence in Kangpokpi which led to the death of one local. District-specific issues and the tribal bodies’ stand against free movement of all vehicles was discussed with the MHA delegation. The leaders stood firm on their stand and so did MHA officials, no conclusion could be arrived at,” said a Kuki-Zo member.
The movement of commercial vehicles on National Highways Number 2 and Number 37 was blocked by Kuki-Zo protesters for the fourth consecutive day.
Last rites
The last rites of Lalgouthang Singsit, the protester who was killed during the March 8 violence, will be conducted on Thursday, the member said. There was no announcement by the Kuki-Zo groups to open the highways for commercial goods vehicles.
Mr. Mishra met a joint delegation of Meitei civil society groups, namely the Federation of Civil Society (FOCS), All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO), Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in Imphal on Wednesday informing them too about the road map prepared by the Centre.
Manipur was placed under President’s Rule on February 13. More than 250 people have been killed since ethnic violence erupted in the State on May 3, 2023.
While a total shutdown has been observed in Kangpokpi, the epicentre of March 8 violence, other Kuki-Zo dominated areas have also partially shutdown as a mark of protest. Meitei-dominated valley areas however functioned smoothly.
