Manipur civil society groups discuss peace process with Home Ministry officials
Manipur was placed under President's Rule on February 13. The official said that though the issue of ending President's Rule was discussed, no assurance was given to the delegation.
Also read: How is President's Rule imposed? | Explained
The groups — Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), and Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) — that arrived in New Delhi include Meitei and non-Meitei members from Manipur. The official said that this was the first time that the groups came together for the talks with A.K. Mishra, adviser (Northeast), Home Ministry and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials.
'The three groups participated jointly in a meeting for the first time. They raised the issues of free movement on highways, security to farmers, action against illegal migrants, resettlement of internally displaced persons,' the official said.
After the meeting, the groups under the banner of Collective of Civil Society Organisations issued a statement pressing for the 'urgent need to ensure free movement for all, emphasising that it is not only a fundamental right and a constitutional obligation of the government, but also the first essential step toward restoring peace in the State.'
The groups also raised the May 20 incident in Gwaltabi when security forces allegedly tried to cover the word 'Manipur' on a State transport bus that was ferrying journalists to the hill district of Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily festival. They sought to know the action taken against the security officials.
Also read: Manipur govt will ensure Gwaltabi incident does not occur in future, says Chief Secretary
The groups were assured by Home Ministry officials that the issue will be taken up with the Manipur government.
In June, Ministry officials revived meetings with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups or the groups in the Suspension of Operations pact (SoO) with the government, stressing the opening of national highways for the free movement of vehicles from Meitei areas and vice versa. National Highway-2 and NH-37, which connect the landlocked Imphal valley to Nagaland and Assam, respectively, critical for the supply of essentials and other commodities, pass through Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.
The violence between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei people that erupted in the State in May 2023 has claimed the lives of 250 people, displacing more than 60,000 people from their homes.
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