Manipur Hill Areas Committee Holds First Joint Meeting in Months

Imphal: Manipur legislators broke a months-long silence on Thursday. Fourteen MLAs from Kuki and Naga communities finally gathered for a joint Hill Areas Committee meeting. They met on a common platform to discuss the hill areas. Some members joined the session virtually.

Seven Kuki legislators attended: Haokholet Kipgen of Saitu, Ngasanglur Sanate of Tipaimukh, Chinlunthang of Singhat, Letzamang Haokip of Henglep, Letpao Haokip of Tengnoupal, LM Khuate of Churachandpur, and Paolienlal Haokip of Saikot. Naga participants included Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Dinganglung Dangmei of Noney, Khashim Vashum of Chingai, Leishiyo Keishing of Kamjong, Kumo Sha of Karong, Janghemlung Panmei of Tamenglong, and Ram Muivah of Ukhrul.

HAC Chairperson Dinganglung Dangmei led the session. He described the talks as a “meaningful and threadbare discussion” regarding the future of the hill regions. Dangmei praised the cooperation shown by the attendees in a social media update. He called it, “A productive and successful sitting that reaffirmed the importance of collective deliberation and cooperation.”

The state has struggled with deep social divides for months. These tensions have stalled normal political operations. Officials kept the specific resolutions quiet. No details on concrete decisions emerged from the meeting.