In a first in over 17 months since violence erupted in the State of Manipur, the Ministry of Home Affairs today convened a meeting of Members of Manipur Legislative Assembly in New Delhi to discuss on the current scenario in the State.

A press release from the Ministry stated that the meeting was attended by a group of elected members of Manipur Assembly, representing Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Meitei and Naga communities.

The meeting unanimously resolved to appeal to the people of the State belonging to all communities to shun the path of violence so that no more precious lives of innocent citizens are lost, it said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah did not attend the meeting.

Meanwhile, a ‘report’ by “Chinlunthang, Convenor Secretary” claims that the Kuki MLAs did not sit in a joint meeting with the Meitei and Naga MLAs. The Kuki MLAs “reaffirmed their stance and expressed reluctance to participate in any joint meetings with the Meitei and Naga MLAs…. any such meetings should only occur after thorough deliberation with the public”, it says.

The statement mentions that the meeting was attended by Kuki-Zo MLAs Haokholet Kipgen, Letpao Haokip, Ngursanglur Sanate, and Nemcha Kipgen and that the Ministry of Home Affairs was represented by Dr. Sambit Patra, North East Coordinator, Dr. Ajeet Gopchade, Manipur In Charge, A.K. Mishra, North East Advisor, and Rajesh Kamble, Joint Director of the Intelligence Bureau, North East.

Chinlunthang also stated that in the meeting, the Kuki-Zo representatives asserted that “a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo community is a prerequisite for any peace dialogue.” The MLAs further urged that political dialogue with the KNO-UPF leadership should resume at the earliest, he added.