First Tripartite Discussions Between MHA, Meitei, and Kuki-Zo Leaders Scheduled Today
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Synopsis
On April 5, 2023, significant tripartite talks will take place in New Delhi involving the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities alongside the Ministry of Home Affairs. This meeting comes 23 months after ethnic riots erupted over tribal status demands.
Key Takeaways
- First tripartite meeting since ethnic riots.
- Agenda remains undisclosed by Manipur officials.
- Leaders from both communities invited by MHA advisor A.K. Mishra.
- KZC is advocating for a Union Territory for Kuki-Zo-Hmar areas.
- Over 60,000 people displaced due to violence.
New Delhi/Imphal, April 5 (NationPress) In a noteworthy development, prominent organizations representing the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities are set to conduct a tripartite meeting with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi this Saturday.
Today's gathering marks the first such tripartite meeting following the outbreak of ethnic riots that began 23 months ago between the non-tribal Meitei and tribal Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities over the demand for tribal status for the Meiteis.
Nonetheless, officials from the Manipur government have opted not to reveal the agenda for today's tripartite meeting in Delhi.
The MHA's advisor for the northeastern region, A.K. Mishra, extended invitations to leaders from both communities after conducting separate discussions with them in Manipur previously.
Last year, the MHA also sought to organize a tripartite meeting with leaders from both communities; however, the tribal organizations (Kuki-Zo) declined to meet with the Meitei leaders.
Leaders from the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), which comprises 13 organizations representing the Kuki-Zo tribal communities in Manipur, convened a meeting with senior MHA officials in New Delhi on January 17 to review their demands and the current situation in the northeastern state.
A four-member delegation from the KZC, headed by its Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet, met with A.K. Mishra and Joint Director, MHA, Rajesh Kamble.
Details of the discussions between the MHA officials and KZC leaders were not disclosed to the media.
The KZC and ten tribal MLAs are advocating for a separate administrative region equivalent to a Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal-dominated areas.
Meanwhile, the Meitei organizations are calling for action against militants, addressing the drug crisis, tackling infiltrators from Myanmar, and the introduction of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Since May 3, 2023, over 250 individuals have lost their lives and more than 1,500 have sustained injuries in the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
Additionally, over 60,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes and villages, currently residing in relief camps across various districts for the past 23 months.
