- By Raju Kumar
- Sat, 05 Apr 2025 02:33 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Manipur violence: In an attempt to achieve peace in violence-hit Manipur, the Centre on Saturday held a meeting with delegations of two warring sides - Meitei and Kuki communities.
The meeting was held as part of the central government's initiatives to find an amicable solution to the ongoing conflict between the two ethnic groups. The state has been witnessing violent clashes since May 2023.
The sources said the discussions stressed on maintaining law and order and facilitating reconciliation between the two communities in Manipur.
Who were part of the Meitei delegation?
The All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) and the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) were part of a six-member Meitei delegation that attended the meeting.
Interlocutors hold the meeting
The Kuki delegation comprised about nine representatives. The central government interlocutors included AK Mishra, a retired special director of the Intelligence Bureau.
Amit Shah confirms peace talks
Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a debate on Manipur in Lok Sabha on Thursday, had said that the Ministry of Home Affairs had held discussions with the representatives of the Meitei and the Kuki communities in the past.
Shah said separate meetings were also conducted with different organisations from both communities.
"The Ministry of Home Affairs will soon convene a joint meeting," Shah said, replying to a short debate in the lower House, which adopted a Statutory Resolution confirming the imposition of President's rule in Manipur.
The home minister also said that while the government is working to find a path to end the violence, the top priority is to establish peace.
Shah said the situation in Manipur is largely under control as there has been no death in the last four months but it can't be considered satisfactory as the displaced people are still living in relief camps.
President's rule in Manipur was imposed on February 13
President's rule in Manipur was imposed on February 13 after the then chief minister N Biren Singh resigned on February 9. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.
About 260 people have lost their lives ever since the ethnic violence broke out between the Imphal valley-based Meitei and neighbouring hills-based Kuki communities in May 2023.
Security forces recover cache of arms, ammunition from various districts
In another development, the security forces have recovered arms and ammunition during the search operations and area domination conducted in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts of Manipur, stated an official press release.
In one such operation, security forces recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition from Laisoi hill areas under Keibul Lamjao Police Station, in Bishnupur district. The recovered items included SLR rifles, carbines, and live rounds.
(With agencies inputs)