Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: The Committee on Tribal Unity in Sadar Hills officially backed the Manipur government this Wednesday. They credited Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand for opening space for political dialogue between communities. The region has suffered through three years of intense upheaval since violence erupted on May 3, 2023.
CoTU says this history must guide future coexistence between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei people. Khemchand successfully brought Kuki-Zo leaders to the table to discuss peace and plurality. As evidence of this progress, the committee pointed to the resumption of Meitei bus services along National Highway 2. They called this a sign of the Chief Minister’s commitment to all groups.
Despite this, the group voiced alarm over inflammatory rhetoric from elected representatives. They warned that politicians should settle disagreements through healthy debate inside the Assembly. The committee also hit back at attempts to block supply lines into Kuki-Zo areas. They stated that such policies destroy trust. According to the group, "The past three years of political upheaval had left deep scars."
The Committee urged the Centre and state government to crack down on armed groups. They specifically identified the Tangkhul-led NSCN-IM and the Zeliangrong United Front as key agitators. They claim these organizations rely on violence to secure political goals. Security operations must remain fair, the committee added. They demanded the government avoid selective targeting and apply the law equally to every community to ensure lasting peace.
Comments