Will Delhi talk break the stalemate ?
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: October 15, 2024 -

THOUGH it is worth welcoming, the planned October 15 meeting between Kuki and Meetei legislators in New Delhi, after over 17 months of the communal conflict in the state, is unlikely to help defuse the prevailing tension or bring an immediate end to the clashes other than the union government issuing firm directive to the armed groups to cease hostility and its forces taking stringent punitive action against the aggressive side.

Nevertheless, it is heartening to learn that the central leaderships have realised gravity of the situation, albeit belatedly.

While the political elites and their enthusiastic followers would be hoping that the meeting; the first after months of intermittent clashes led to displacement of 60,000 people and left over 200 dead, at the national capital would break the stalemate, those who have been keenly observing dynamics of the violence and civil society organisations of both Meetei and Kuki communities would be sceptical about the political class working out an amicable solution to the crisis other than the New Delhi platform serving as an opportunity to narrate tales of suffering of their respective communities.

It is learnt that the process for the peace parleys was initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs at the behest of Union home minister Amit Shah, who among other central leaders has been under public scanner and drawing flak for apparent lack of firm resolve to restore peace in the state.

The angst against Amit Shah stems from the fact that the 60,000-plus additional central forces could not discharge their duties as expected by the masses.

As it needs no reminding that the government of Manipur has been acting at the whims and fancy of the centre, MLAs of the warring communities enlisted for the talks are mostly likely to attend the same as a formality, fully aware that defying the centre's directive would be construed as act of dissent.

Regardless of those in the know claiming that the New Delhi meeting is part of the steps being taken up by the Central government to resolve the crisis permanently taking the issue as critically serious, Meetei legislators namely speaker Th Satyabrata, agriculture minister Th Biswajit, works minister K Govindas, Thanga MLA T Robindro, and Heirok MLA Th Radheshyam would be under tremendous pressure for Meetei CSOs have been making in point to criticise Meetei legislators and storm their residences whenever there are Meetei fatalities.

Kuki MLAs too would be feeling the heat on how they could impress the central leaders to cede to their as well as the CSOs' demand for separate administration for the Kuki-Zo communities or formation of a union territory with legislators.

Moreover, ever since the violence broke out in May last year, Kuki and Meetei legislators had been avoiding each other, at-least in public view even at neutral venues in conflict-free areas of the state, though possibility of telephonic conversations and interactions in other parts of the country cannot be ruled out.

As such, the initiative of the Central government to bring together MLAs belonging to communities in conflict will be a highly tense gathering as they would be fully aware that the slightest hint of undermining public sentiment and aspiration would be detrimental in furthering their political career.