Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma on Friday asserted that his party is opposed to any move seeking a separate administration for the Kuki community or the bifurcation of Manipur, which continues to be riven by ethnic unrest for over a year.
Sangma, who is on a two-day visit to the conflict-hit state, said the NPP believes that the crisis can only be resolved through dialogue and collective will among all communities. “Looking at a completely separate administration or completely bifurcating the state of Manipur is not the stand of the National People's Party (NPP). We are very clear on that,” he stated in Imphal.
Over 260 lives have been lost and thousands displaced since May 2023 in the continuing ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups. Kukis have been demanding a separate administration, citing insecurity and discrimination.
Calling for reconciliation, Sangma said, “We have always stressed that there is always a meeting point, which can be reached. It depends on the will, dialogue and commitment.”
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The Meghalaya chief minister appealed to all sides to end hostilities and work towards restoring peace. “I would like to appeal to all the communities that it (ethnic strife) has been too long. For many years now, communities and innocent people in Manipur have been suffering. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all communities and all leaders to find a way forward,” he said.
During his visit, Sangma met internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Churachandpur and Moreh, noting their longing for stability and return. “While I was discussing with IDPs, some of whom have been displaced from Churachandpur and Moreh, I found that there was a desire and a feeling that if we could bring back normalcy in some areas, we should start discussions with those areas. It may not be possible for all locations at one time,” he said.
The displaced communities also flagged concerns related to the proliferation of arms and drug trafficking, Sangma said.
Touching upon the ongoing debate over border fencing and the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the India-Myanmar frontier, Sangma urged the Centre to ensure that local voices are part of the consultation process. “Naga CSOs have raised the issue of border fencing and scrapping of FMR. We are very clear that these require a lot of engagement. While the Centre intends to ensure proper identification of citizens and those who are not citizens of India, there are, of course, historical and cultural factors, which are equally important,” he said.
The FMR permits residents living within 16 km of the India-Myanmar border to travel across the boundary without a visa. Sangma stressed, “We urge the Centre that whatever decisions the government takes, they must take local people on board to discuss and find a way.”
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