Manipur Takes First Step Towards Reconciliation After 3-Year Violence
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Nearly three years after ethnic violence tore through Manipur, a cautious first step towards reconciliation emerged as chief minister Yumnam Khemchand sat down with the apex Kuki-Zo body for an “ice-breaking” meeting.
The meeting, held in Guwahati on Saturday, marked the first engagement between the two sides since violence broke out on May 3, 2023.
The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) delegation raised several key issues related to the ongoing unrest in Manipur, including the urgent need to de-escalate tensions between the Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities and the importance of ensuring justice for victims as a prerequisite for any meaningful peace and reconciliation process.
Chief Minister Khemchand shared his concerns, commitments, and the steps undertaken by his government to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.
The state government may invite KZC for another round of talks in Imphal, if required.
Chief Minister Khemchand noted that internally displaced persons (IDPs) from both Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities continue to suffer from a trust deficit, and said the meeting in Guwahati was aimed at rebuilding confidence.
