Continuing violence, Biren Singh’s inclusion, ‘no consultation’: Why Kuki groups are staying away from Centre’s peace panel in Manipur

“We desire peace. Who doesn’t want peace? But if violence continues, then what is the point? Even ministers and MLAs were not spared," says the president of Kuki Inpi Manipur

manipur, manipur violence, manipur peace panel, kukis

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh with others addresses the media at Darbar Hall of Chief Minister's Secretariat, in Imphal, Monday, June 12, 2023. (PTI Photo)

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Kuki organisations that have distanced themselves from the Centre’s peace committee, which was formed to facilitate talks on the situation in Manipur, said they made the decision in the backdrop of the continued violence in the state and reiterated their stand that they cannot work under Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

A directive issued on Monday by the Core Committee on Separate Administration, which includes MLAs representing the Kuki-Zomi communities and tribal bodies such as the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the Zomi Council and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), said no “CSOs [civil society organisation], tribe bodies and individuals shall participate in the peace committee.”

“Even though peace has been our earnest desire, to talk about peace in the shadow of continued violence, exploitation and oppression is an exercise that will prove futile. And to include N Biren Singh, the main perpetrator of this violence, as a member of the peace committee in itself is an insult to the Zomi, Kuki, Hmar and Mizo communities,” their statement said.

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Ajang Khongsai, the president of KIM spoke similarly.

He said: “We desire peace. Who doesn’t want peace? But if violence continues, then what is the point? Even ministers and MLAs were not spared. How can a man like me go and attend the meeting?”

K Suanthang, the president of the Paite Tribe Council, told The Indian Express that the community would stand by the resolutions taken during the consultative meeting — attended by Kuki-Zo legislators, tribe leaders and CSOs — held in Aizawl on May 17.

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“The first resolution was to support the demand for separate administration (for Kukis) and the second not to hold talks with the Manipur Government.”

Leaders from the Zo-Kuki community have also alleged they were not consulted before the committee’s formation.

“I was not informed that I was included in the committee. I came to know of it after the formation. Same is the case with my colleagues who are members,” said Khongsoi.

Others on the 51-member committee, which comprises 25 Meitei representatives, 11 Kuki representatives, 10 Nagas and also members of the civil society, also said there was no consultation.

A retired Indian Defence Accounts Service officer, J Lhungdim, who is part of the committee, told The Indian Express: “This is an important question. Without my consent, why and how did they add my name to the peace committee? I have spoken with several Kuki representatives and they told me that their names were also added to the committee without talking to them.”

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“I believe it’s not going to work this way and the Central government should be part of this committee, instead of leaving everything on Chief Minister N Biren Singh,” he added.

L Adino Mao, a former president of the United Naga Council, the apex civil body of the Nagas in Manipur, said he found out about his “appointment” to the panel through social media.

Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), which is not part of the peace committee, alleged the panel was entirely selected by N. Biren Singh.

“No ITLF members are included (in the peace committee). Nevertheless, the ITLF feels it is not the right time to talk peace when firing and killings are going on and when many of our dead are not brought home yet,” the form said in a statement.

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Both the Meitei and Kuki communities, which have been engaged in a violent standoff for over a month, have distanced themselves from the peace committee constituted on June 10.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (CCOMI), an umbrella body of Meitei CSOs, also expressed displeasure over the committee in the backdrop of the violence.

It said it would not participate in the discussions on the grounds that “it is not the right time to join the committee”, stating that “attacks by ‘narco-terrorists’ wielding sophisticated weapons still continue”.

As per a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the committee was formed to “facilitate the peace-making process among various ethnic groups of the state, including peaceful dialogue and negotiations between conflicting parties and groups”.