Manipur crisis: Kuki-Zo, Meitei civil society groups to meet in Delhi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah says both the communities in Manipur should understand that dialogue is the only way forward and the Union government is not in favour of continuing President’s Rule even for a single day

First time since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023, civil society groups from the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities are all set to hold a dialogue on Saturday (April 5, 2025) at a meeting organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in Delhi.

Representatives of the Kuki-Zo Council, Zomi Council, Federation of Civil Societies (FOCS) and All Manipur United Clubs Org (AMUCO) will meet in the presence of A.K Mishra, Adviser, Northeast (MHA).

A meeting of Kuki-Zo, Meitei and the Naga MLAs organised by the MHA on October 15, 2024 did not bear any result as the legislators from the warring communities refused to sit in the same room.

Earlier on Friday (April 4, 2025), Union Home Minister Amit Shah said both the communities in Manipur should understand that dialogue was the only way forward and the Union government was not in favour of continuing President’s Rule in the State even for a single day. Asserting that it was a Manipur High Court order that triggered the violence in the State in May 2023, the Minister said the interpretation of the order led to insecurities among the tribal community about losing reservation status and it became a “tribals versus non-tribal” issue.

Slams Opposition

“It is not a religious conflict, nor terrorism or a law and order failure. Of the 260 people killed in the ethnic violence so far, 70% killings took place in the first 15 days. When ethnic violence spreads, to control it within 15 days is difficult. Not the first time such violence has been reported in the State. Such incidents in the past have taken years to subside but the Bharatiya Janata Party never politicised the incidents. They [Opposition] are rubbing salt on the wounds of Manipur by politicising the issue,” Mr. Shah said.

The Home Minister said that so far 13 meetings had taken place with both the communities and soon the final meeting involving both the communities would be held in Delhi.

Around 2.40 a.m. on Friday (April 4, 2025), Mr. Shah moved the statutory resolution in the Rajya Sabha for the approval of the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur. The resolution was adopted by the Upper House.

Around 260 people have been killed in the ethnic violence between the Meitei and the tribal Kuki-Zo people that erupted in the State on May 3, 2023. President’s Rule was imposed in the State on February 13.

“The resolution was brought late to the House because the meetings continued. Even when the (budget) session was on, two meetings took place and the third and final meeting with the two communities in Delhi will be held soon. I hope both communities will understand and take the route of dialogue,” Mr. Shah said.

The Manipur High Court on March 27, 2023, directed the State government to submit its recommendation on the inclusion of Meiteis in the ST list asking to consider the proposal preferably within four weeks. On May 3, 2023, a tribal solidarity rally was organised in all hill districts, following which the violence erupted starting from Churachandpur.

Political vacuum

The Minister said President’s Rule was imposed due to a political vacuum after the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on February 9, 2025 and not due to the no confidence motion being planned by the Congress in the State Assembly as being claimed.

“I want to make it clear that the Congress did not have enough numbers to bring the no-confidence motion against the State government. None of the MLAs staked claim to form the government. PR was imposed on February 13. But even before that zero violence was reported in the months of November, December, January and March. Misconceptions should not be created,” Mr. Shah said.

Ten opposition members spoke on the statutory resolution in the Upper House. The discussion continued for around 90 minutes.

Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a White Paper on Manipur.

“The Opposition parties had planned a no-confidence motion, President’s Rule is a political need. The MLAs in the State revolted against the Chief Minister, both Prime Minister and Home Minister never wanted him to resign. The Prime Minister should visit Manipur and make a statement in Rajya Sabha. He has come only once this session, that too for 15 minutes. There is no strategic or long-term policy with respect to Manipur. Every day a new experiment. The entire country stands with Manipur. Prime Minister should explain why he did not visit Manipur yet?” Mr. Kharge said.

Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’Brien said that in the last 22 months the Prime Minister had travelled around 3,80,000 km but did not have the time to visit the State. “You are arrogant that you won’t even acknowledge there is a problem. The irony of discussing the State, in the dead-on night at 3 a.m., no prime time, no TV channels. Look at Manipur during the day. Look at Manipur in the eye. Night is sinister,” the Trinamool member said.

A.A. Rahim of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said a number of religious places were attacked. “Where is our Prime Minister? He has not visited Manipur. Manipur is a continuation of Gujarat. It was a pre-planned and calculated violence. Churches blown using gas cylinders. Government needs to share data regarding attack on Christians,” he said.

Kanimozhi N.V.N. Somu of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam said President’s Rule was not a remedy and it was a direct assault on federalism. “What has PR achieved after 46 days? Have displaced people returned home?” she asked.

Sanjay Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party said the wife of a Kargil war hero was paraded naked. “Prime Minister has spoken only for 36 seconds on Manipur so far. You have time to visit foreign countries, but do not have the time to visit Manipur. Begin electoral process soon and work on bridging the divide between the two communities,” Mr. Singh said.

Sanjay Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal stated that curfew was imposed, Internet blocked but no attempt to initiate peace in the State.

Sandosh Kumar P. of the Communist Party of India said, “You have given a date to end Naxalism in the country. When are you going to finish the crisis in Manipur? Prime Minister is known to tour the world. He never visited Manipur. After Trump rule, this government imposed President’s Rule.”

Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Shiv Sena (UBT) said, “We have been demanding for the past two years that Prime Minister visit Manipur. Instead of saving Manipur, they protected the Chief Minister. Elected government should be restored in Manipur soon.”

Published - April 04, 2025 10:13 pm IST