Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
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.
Updated at 19th September 2026 at 9:47am
While initial reports placed the meeting on Thursday, officials confirmed the session took place on Friday. The meeting utilized a hybrid format: Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen showed up in person, while the remaining Kuki-Zo legislators logged in via video conference.
With a total of 18 tribal lawmakers representing these communities in the 60-member assembly, the session highlighted a move to get the constitutionally mandated committee back on track despite ongoing political friction.
Updated at 19th September 2026 at 1:49pm
This latest session follows an informal meeting held in Guwahati on February 23, 2024, where five Naga and nine Kuki legislators discussed state unrest and central intervention. That earlier meeting took place outside Manipur due to security concerns.
While the committee remained active between these gatherings, its work faced pushback. In October 2024, the committee passed Resolution No. 59/2024 regarding Autonomous District Council chairmanships following a directive from the governor. Several Naga civil society organizations opposed that resolution, which subsequently triggered a legal challenge in the High Court of Manipur.
Comments