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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Manipur civil society groups discuss peace process with Home Ministry officials
Three civil society groups from Manipur met Union Home Ministry officials on Monday (June 30, 2025), where a roadmap to peace and restoration of a popular government was discussed, a senior government official said. 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.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Home ministry holds talks with Meitei groups to resolve the Manipur crisis
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A fresh round of dialogue between the officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and members of a joint delegation of leading Meitei-based Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) was held in New Delhi on Monday to resolve the ethnic crisis in Manipur A 19-member delegation of three CSOs -- All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), and the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) – held a discussion with four MHA officials led by A.K. Mishra, Advisor to the MHA on Northeast Director, MHA Rajesh Kamble, Sunil Kumar and Rahul P.R., both Superintendent of Police, IB, also attended the meeting, held in two coordinator Khuraijam Athouba said that the meeting discussed pressing issues affecting peace and stability in the state. Another COCOMI leader said that they urged the MHA to introduce the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur to identify illegal immigrants and protect indigenous delegation conveyed the strong sentiments and demands of the people regarding May 20, the Gwaltabi issue , when some security personnel in Imphal East district reportedly instructed the media team to hide the 'Manipur State Transport Corporation' signage in front of the bus carrying 20 journalists and some Information Department officials. The CSOs also demanded adequate security for the farmers and to start the free movement of people across the CSOs reiterated their rejection of the legitimacy of militant outfits under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) and engaging with the innocent Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi-Hmar civilians who are the genuine citizens of the state shall be handled accordingly after sorting out the anti-peace elements. United Peoples' Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO), which are conglomerates of 23 underground outfits, signed an SoO with the Central government on August 22, 2008, and then there are 2,266 Kuki cadres who have been staying in different designated camps in discussions between the MHA officials and three CSOs centred around restoring normalcy, ensuring public safety, and addressing long-standing grievances over the Centre's perceived inaction. Monday's engagement is seen as a renewed initiative to bridge differences through dialogue. It follows months of memoranda, protests, and appeals submitted by the civil society said that the MHA is also scheduled to hold a separate dialogue with Kuki armed groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement on July 4. The MHA officials earlier also held discussions separately with the Meitei CSOs and various organisations of the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal organisations.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Centre meets Kuki-Zo groups, discusses opening of highways, surrender of weapons
Union Home Ministry (MHA) officials on Monday (June 9, 2025) discussed changes in the ground rules of the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement, the opening of national highways and surrender of weapons at a meeting with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups, which was held after two years. At the meeting, the insurgent groups, in peace talks with the government since 2008, were conveyed about ground rules violations and were also asked to shut down or relocate camps close to the Meitei-inhabited areas. The ground rules of the SoO agreement are being reviewed by the MHA, and the next rounds of talks are expected next week to finalise the details for its implementation. A senior government official told The Hindu that the preliminary meeting discussed a road map for restoring normalcy in the northeastern State and finding a long-term solution. The official added that the opening of national highways for free movement of vehicles from Meitei areas and vice versa was emphasised upon. National Highways-2 and 37, which connect the land-locked Imphal valley to Nagaland and Assam respectively, critical for supply of essentials and other commodities, pass through Kuki-Zo inhabited areas. The talks, that were affected due to the May 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur, were held in Delhi after a gap of two years. The insurgent groups reiterated their demand for a union territory with legislature for the Kuki-Zo people. A SoO representative said, 'The grounds for discussion should be spelt out clearly. An agreement for a political settlement should be part of the SoO extension. Most ground rules are likely to remain the same as 2008, but regarding relocation of camps, we will have to discuss with our constituents.' Also Read: The paradox of the approach to the Manipur issue Five members of the Kuki-Zo SoO groups held talks with A.K. Mishra, Adviser (Northeast), MHA and Intelligence Bureau officials on Monday (June 9, 2025). Looting of weapons 'A large number of police weapons were looted since the violence began. The groups were told to surrender weapons to bring long-lasting peace,' the official said. The agreement, in place since 2008, has been periodically extended each year except on February 29, 2024, when the Manipur Government pulled out from the tripartite pact; the MHA and SoO groups being the other two signatories. The representative added, 'The meeting focused on the way forward, it concluded on a positive note. Some of the camps that were set up in 2008 were inappropriately located; they have water scarcity and are in want of serious repair. The cadres have not been paid stipend for the past two years.' The representative added that the State government withdrew from the SoO pact after alleging ground rules violation. 'The ground rules are violated if our cadres attack the security forces. Post-May 3, 2023, the State police commandos at the behest of the State government were attacking our camps with mortars.' Around 2,200 cadres of the SoO groups comprising United People's Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) – umbrella organisations of 25 insurgent groups, live in 14 designated camps in the hill districts of Manipur. The cadres are entitled to a stipend of ₹6,000 per month which has not been paid since the violence erupted. The SoO agreement was signed in the wake of Kuki-Naga clashes in the 1990s when hundreds were killed. The insurgent groups demanded an independent land for the Kuki-Zo people. Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had claimed that SoO groups violated ground rules and instigated ethnic violence. The violence between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei people, which erupted in the State on May 3, 2023, has claimed the lives of 250 people, displacing more than 60,000 people from their homes.
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
MHA to resume talks with Kuki-Zo insurgents, says camps near Meitei areas must be closed before renegotiating SoO pact
The Union Home Ministry (MHA) is all set to resume talks with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups in Manipur after a gap of two years. A senior government official told The Hindu that the suspension of operations pact (SoO) with the insurgent groups in Manipur will be 'renegotiated with stringent ground rules'. The SoO framework has to be in existence before any 'political solution' can be reached. The Kuki-Zo SoO groups will hold the talks with the MHA's Northeast adviser A.K. Mishra and Intelligence Bureau officials, on June 9. Changing demands Before May 2023, when ethnic violence erupted in the State, the primary demand of the SoO groups was to have autonomous territorial councils within Manipur. After the conflict began, however, they changed the stance to demand a separate administration for Kuki-Zo areas, defining it as a Union Territory with a legislature. The agreement, in place since 2008, has been periodically extended each year, except on February 29, 2024 when the Manipur government pulled out from the tripartite pact. The other two signatories are the MHA and the SoO groups. One of the conditions that has been set forth to hold further talks is the removal of SoO camps from locations close to the valley districts which are dominated by the Meitei people. Security forces have suggested that the number of camps be reduced from the existing 14 to seven camps. Timeline of the ongoing Suspension of Operations pact 2008: 25 Kuki-Zo insurgent groups sign a Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with MHA, Manipur government which is extended every year; 14 SoO camps set up in the hill districts of Manipur with around 2200 identified cadres. May 3, 2023: SoO groups almost sign an agreement with MHA agreeing on autonomous councils for Kuki-Zo people in Manipur. After violence erupts, talks are derailed. February 29, 2024: Manipur government pulls out of the tripartite SoO agreement when it comes up for an annual extension. MHA and Kuki-Zo groups are present, but Manipur does not send any representative to extend the agreement on its behalf. February 29, 2024: Manipur Assembly, sans Kuki-Zo MLAs, passes a resolution to abrogate SoO. August 19-22, 2024: Informal meetings held between three members of the SoO groups, MHA's Northeast adviser A.K. Mishra, and Intelligence Bureau officials Exchanging accusations Meitei groups have accused the SoO groups of carrying out armed attacks during and after the ethnic violence between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei people which erupted in the State on May 3, 2023 and claimed the lives of 250 people, displacing more than 60,000 people from their homes. Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh claimed that the SoO groups had violated ground rules and instigated the ethnic violence. The SoO groups have accused the Manipur government of using the State machinery against them. 'No immediate extension of SoO' The official quoted above said that there will be no immediate extension of the SoO pact, which protects the identified cadres from arrest and criminal cases if they follow ground rules. It will be extended only after the negotiation is complete, he said. 'Some camps will have to be shut down, few have to be relocated. Separate set of ground rules are being formulated. Without its implementation, the SoO pact cannot be extended,' the official said. After a peace pact is signed with an insurgent group, the cadres are expected to stay in earmarked camps. Weapons and ammunitions are accounted for and regular checks are conducted by a monitoring agency decided by the State government. 'Preliminary meeting' An SoO representative said: 'The talks are being held in Delhi after a hiatus. It will be a preliminary meeting with the Centre.' Around 2,200 cadres of the SoO groups — comprising the United People's Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), umbrella organisations of 25 insurgent groups — live in 14 designated camps in the hill districts of Manipur. The cadres are entitled to a stipend of ₹6,000 per month, which has not been paid since the violence erupted. The SoO agreement was signed in the aftermath of the Kuki-Naga clashes in the 1990s when hundreds were killed. The insurgent groups demanded an independent land for the Kuki-Zo people.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Free movement, resettlement will take time, Home Ministry officials tell Meitei civil society groups
The resumption of free movement for all communities along the National Highways in Manipur, and the resettlement of internally displaced people are 'going to take some time', Home Ministry officials told a delegation of Meitei civil society groups at a meeting in the National Capital. The officials 'clearly stated' that this is 'not achievable in a few months or a few weeks', the Meitei groups said in a press conference on Wednesday (May 28, 2025), a day after the meeting. The Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), an Imphal-based coalition of civil society groups from Manipur's valley regions, met with an MHA team led by North-East Adviser A.K. Mishra on Tuesday afternoon, even as protests broke out in Imphal again related to an alleged cover-up of the word 'Manipur' on a State bus. 'There was a fruitful and constructive discussion on a range of issues with officials of MHA on Tuesday. It was clearly stated by MHA that the issues of opening National Highways, resettlement of the internally displaced persons, these are going to take some time. This is not achievable in a few months or a few weeks.' FOCS consultative member Puyam Rakesh said at the press conference. 'No specific timeline' At a security review meeting on March 1 this year, Home Minister Amit Shah had directed that from March 8, there would be free movement along the highways, which have been blocked since the ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023. However, on March 8, amidst attempts to enforce this direction, a 19-year-old man was killed and more than 40 people were injured in Kangpokpi district as Kuki-Zo people clashed with Central armed police forces. Speaking on behalf of the FOCS delegation, Mr. Rakesh alleged that 'the Union government is reluctant to use excessive force to reopen the highway', adding that the MHA officials did not give any 'specific timeline' for when these issues, such as free movement on the highways and resettlement of displaced persons, could be addressed. 'We understand that these issues take time, but we urged for addressing immediate concerns of displaced persons, taking care of their financial needs, taking care of medical needs, and ensuring education for the children,' he said. 'That was the message given to us by the Government of India. We look forward to having more rounds of talks and also intercommunity dialogue with the Kuki-Zo community, which will be very important for restoring normalcy and peace i Manipur,' Mr. Rakesh said. While FOCS has agreed to engage with Kuki-Zo community associations, the delegation from Coordination Committee for Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), another Meitei group which met separately with MHA officials clarified that it will engage 'exclusively with Government of India'. Also read | Bus incident: Manipur group announces civil disobedience 'State is burning again' The FOCS made it a point to note that there have been 'some concrete steps' taken by the administration since the imposition of President's Rule, with a 'successful de-escalation' in the last few months. However, Mr. Rakesh indicated that the situation has been deteriorating again since last week's incident in Gwaltabi, when security forces tried to cover up the word 'Manipur' on a State transport bus that was ferrying journalists to the hill district of Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily festival. The incident has 'hurt the sentiments of the people of Manipur, and the State is now burning again, and women and children are on the streets protesting,' Mr. Rakesh said. 'This [incident] has been perceived, rightly or wrongly, as an attempt to dismember the State of Manipur.' With reports emerging from Imphal that a group of MLAs were meeting with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Wednesday afternoon in an attempt to stake their claim to form a government in the State, Mr. Rakesh said, 'We welcome a popular government if it has the political will to act in coordination with the Centre to do the needful which can positively change the situation on the ground. But we are not demanding it for the moment.' Gwaltabi incident 'deeply regretted' The ongoing protests in Imphal, which were part of a 'civil disobedience' call given by the COCOMI, displayed banners that said, 'President's Rule must stop insulting Manipur's integrity.' On Wednesday, the Office of the Chief Secretary of Manipur issued a press release, clarifying that there have been 'no instructions whatsoever or even remote thought of covering the name of the State, as has been alleged'. It added that the 'reported untoward incident' is being treated with 'utmost seriousness' and is 'deeply regretted', adding that once the Commission formed by the Governor submits its report, and 'those responsible for the lapses, if any, are identified, strict action would be taken'. 'Evading responsibility' Mr. Rakesh added that the FOCS delegation also raised concerns about 'seasoned politicians' — including Union Ministers Amit Shah, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Kiren Rijiju — making comments about Manipur having a 'history or tradition' of ethnic conflicts. This was 'sending a message that is normalising the violence' in the State, the FOCS delegate said. 'We see this as getting away from responsibility rather than taking accountability for the problems of the people of Manipur. These narratives are not doing anything good for the people of the State. Such insensitive statements should be avoided,' he said.
