Imphal, March 22 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Manipur, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, referred to his inaugural meeting with the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) leaders as a 'promising start' aimed at reinstating peace, normalcy, and rebuilding trust between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in the region.

On Saturday, the Chief Minister conducted a private meeting with a Kuki-Zo Council delegation in Guwahati, where they addressed various issues impacting the state and the ongoing government initiatives to restore stability in Manipur.

Singh characterized the discussions in Guwahati as a significant advancement, marking the first dialogue in almost three years.

He stated, “The discussions between the KZC and the state administration signify a positive step towards re-establishing peace and normalcy, alongside the rebuilding of trust among diverse communities.” He also assured that such dialogues would persist in the future.

Expressing his appreciation, the Chief Minister thanked the KZC delegation for responding positively to the invitation for talks, emphasizing that the primary goal of the meeting was to nurture peace within the state.

Since his appointment on February 4, he has persistently urged all involved parties to collaboratively pursue peace, following the ethos of “forgive and forget.”

When asked about the call for a separate administration or Union Territory for Kuki-Zo tribes, Singh reaffirmed the Central government's stance, which maintains that the territorial integrity of Manipur will remain undisturbed.

Prior to the meeting, on March 17, the Chief Minister’s Office had communicated with KZC Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet, indicating Singh’s eagerness to meet with KZC representatives on March 21 in Guwahati to explore avenues for restoring peace and normalcy.

In a statement released on Sunday, the KZC confirmed that the meeting took place on Saturday night in Guwahati and lasted around one hour and 45 minutes. They pointed out that this was the first official engagement between the Manipur government led by Singh and the Kuki-Zo Council following nearly three years of strife between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

The KZC described the interaction as primarily an “ice-breaking session,” where its delegation raised several critical concerns that were carefully considered by the Chief Minister.

Key issues discussed included the urgent need to mitigate tensions between the Kuki and Tangkhul communities and the necessity for ensuring justice for conflict victims as a prerequisite for any significant peace and reconciliation process.

The KZC also emphasized the importance of preserving the sanctity of the buffer zone until a comprehensive political settlement is achieved.

Moreover, they called for a swift resolution to the ongoing Suspension of Operations (SoO) discussions to secure lasting peace in the area.

According to the statement, the Chief Minister conveyed his concerns, clarified his administration’s commitments, and detailed the actions being taken to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur. He also expressed gratitude for the KZC’s initiative and its readiness to engage in dialogue amidst challenging circumstances.

However, it was noted that the meeting ended without any formal resolutions or agreements.