Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met Kuki-Zo Council leaders in Guwahati for the first direct talks in nearly three years, urging communities to “forgive and forget” amid ethnic violence and fresh Kuki-Tangkhul Naga tensions.

In a significant step towards reconciliation in strife-torn Manipur, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh held closed-door discussions with a delegation from the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) on Saturday, March 21 at a hotel in Guwahati, Assam. The nearly two-hour meeting, which began around 7 PM, was the first high-level engagement between the state government and the influential Kuki-Zo apex body since ethnic violence erupted between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023.

More than 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced in the ongoing conflict, leaving internally displaced persons (IDPs) from both sides unable to return to their homes. The talks come weeks after the end of President’s Rule and the formation of the new government under CM Singh, who assumed office with a clear mandate to restore normalcy.

Addressing the media on Sunday, March 22, while inspecting the Inter-State Bus Terminus at Khuman Lampak in Imphal, the Chief Minister described the interaction as “a good beginning” and said further talks would proceed. “In Manipur’s situation, the most saddening part is that internally displaced persons (IDPs) are unable to return to their native homes,” he said. “What is of utmost importance for their return is to rebuild the trust between the two communities.”

KZC Raises Key Concerns on Naga Tensions

The Kuki-Zo Council delegation used the platform to highlight pressing issues. They stressed the urgent need to defuse rising tensions between Kuki and Tangkhul Naga tribes in recent weeks over land access and overlapping claims. (Historical Kuki-Naga clashes in the 1990s had already claimed over 1,000 lives, and fresh friction risks derailing broader peace efforts.)

KZC leaders also demanded justice for victims of the 2023 ethnic violence as a prerequisite for genuine reconciliation. They called for maintaining the sanctity of “sensitive zones” – areas where villages of different communities meet – until a political settlement is reached, and urged faster progress on suspension of operations (SoO) agreements with relevant groups.

The delegation, representing leaders from eight Kuki-Zo tribes, appreciated the Chief Minister’s invitation and initiative. No formal decisions or commitments emerged from the ice-breaking session, but officials described it as a constructive exchange where both sides listened attentively.

CM Stresses “Forgive and Forget”

Chief Minister Singh listened to the concerns and outlined his government’s steps to restore peace. He appealed to all communities to embrace the spirit of “forgive and forget”. “How long can central forces keep guarding people? Until we forget and forgive what has happened, we cannot move forward,” he stated emphatically.

“My appeal to all is to restore peace and proceed with the concept of forgive and forget. My approach is bringing peace and building trust,” Singh added. He clarified there was “no demand or commitment” at this stage but emphasised honest dialogue. “Now is not the time for any kind of confrontation. If we want to bring peace, we must work honestly.”

On the sensitive issue of separate administration often demanded by Kuki-Zo groups, the Chief Minister reiterated the centre’s position. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already announced that the territorial integrity of Manipur would remain intact,” he said. He also dismissed the notion of official “buffer zones”, explaining that security forces maintain checks only in “sensitive zones” due to the prevailing trust deficit.

The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the KZC for accepting the invitation and noted that the government is committed to normalcy. He highlighted gradual improvements, such as limited resumption of traffic on the Imphal-Kohima highway (NH-2) and better law-and-order along the Imphal-Ukhrul road, though fear still restricts full movement.

IDP Crisis and Long Road Ahead

The core challenge remains the return of IDPs, the Chief Minister said. Thousands continue to live in relief camps, guarded by central forces, unable to resume normal lives in their villages. Rebuilding trust is the only sustainable solution, Singh said, questioning how long external security can substitute for community harmony.

The meeting also indirectly addressed broader Naga-Kuki dynamics. Tangkhul Naga areas have seen sporadic tensions, and both sides acknowledged that unchecked friction could harm the larger peace process involving Meiteis, Kukis, and Nagas.

Analysts view the Guwahati dialogue as a positive signal after nearly three years of deadlock. The KZC’s willingness to engage and the CM’s proactive approach reflect growing political will. However, challenges persist – deep-seated mistrust, unresolved demands for justice, and competing territorial aspirations.

Talks to Proceed; Hope for Lasting Peace

Chief Minister Singh made it clear that this was only the beginning. “The talk… for the first time in nearly three years is a really good thing,” he told reporters. “The talks will proceed.”

No timeline for the next round was announced, but both sides agreed to keep communication channels open. The government has already initiated confidence-building measures, and the KZC has promised to encourage its communities to support peace initiatives.

The development comes amid renewed central and state focus on Manipur after the end of President’s Rule. Experts hope the “forgive and forget” approach, coupled with concrete steps on SoO agreements and sensitive-zone management, could pave the way for IDP rehabilitation and eventual normalcy.

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