Too early to pass judgement on tripartite talks : AMUCO
Pre-conditions of Kuki-Zos not presented in talks
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 07 2025: The All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) has asserted that it's too early to pass any judgement on the tripartite talk held on April 5 at New Delhi.

Not suprisingly the three pre-conditions set by the Kuki-ZO CSOs here earlier were not presented during the Delhi talks.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, AMUCO president Pheiroijam Nando Luwang said that the peace talk has just begun and it has a long way to go.

It is too early to pass any judgement that the meeting held with Kuki-Zo representatives and MHA officials was a failure or success, he said.

Too early to pass judgement on tripartite talks : AMUCO

"Had we not gone to the meeting, the MHA officials would have listened only to the false narratives peddled by the Kuki-Zo.

By going to the meeting, we got an opportunity to point out the falsity of the Kuki-Zo narratives.

We did not propose or request for any meeting with Kuki-Zo leaders", Nando Luwang said.

Before the April 5 talks, a team of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) led by its Advisor (North East) AK Mishra held a meeting with Kuki-Zo representatives at Churachandpur on March 11, 2025 .

This was followed by another meeting with AMUCO, FOCS and COCOMI on March 12, 2025 .

It was during this meeting that a joint meeting with Kuki-Zo leaders was proposed.

Subsequently, information was received from SIB about a proposed meeting with Kuki-Zo leaders at Guwahati on March 19 but the proposed meeting was postponed due to certain issues.

Later, a meeting was fixed at Delhi on April 5, 2025 .

AMUCO did not receive any written invitation for both the first meeting and second meeting.

It was verbal invitation, Nando said.

"On being asked about the agenda of the meeting, we were told that it was about bringing peace in the State.

"We went to the meeting to know the disposition and demands of the Kuki-Zo leaders and the response of MHA officials.

At the same time, we were determined to come back and first consult the people if the matter proves to be too serious and sensitive", the AMUCO president said.

Before going to Delhi for the April 5 talks, AMUCO consulted many intellectuals and studied whether the Kuki-Zo people had interest in the scheduled talks or not.

"We felt that the Kuki-Zo leaders had an intention to sabotage the talks by enraging Meiteis and position themselves on the right side", Nando said.

The Kuki-Zo leaders did not table any of the pre-conditions they set earlier during the talk.

Those who came from Churachandpur highlighted their problems and difficulties and sometimes blamed the Meiteis.

"At such points, we intervened promptly", the AMUCO president said.

"The Kuki-Zo leaders' refusal to sign the agreement or understanding reached at the April 5 meeting is their own problem but we made it clear that we want a solution and peace", he said.

Pointing out that Kuki-Zo militants and their people have been denying Meiteis access to National Highways by directly challenging Union Home Minister Amit Shah's instruction to ensure free movement of all sections of people on highways and roads in Manipur, the MHA officials were asked whether those people blocking free movement are above the Government of India.

If the Government of India is genuinely concerned about the suffering people, the Government leaders must first focus on protecting the citizens, their properties and peaceful co-existence.

"We asked AK Mishra what is the point of holding today's meeting if the Government of India is not ready to accept this path to peace or unwilling to act", Nando said.

He said that they also asked AK Mishra to see that the meeting brings forth a meaningful result.

The participation of AMUCO and FOCS at the meeting was not against the people's sentiment or wish, he added.

FOCS president BM Yaima Shah said that the April 5 talks opened a communication channel toward restoring peace in the State.

He said that none of the pre-conditions set by Kuki-Zo leaders figured at the talks held at Delhi.

"We went to the meeting to let the MHA decide after listening to both sides, and we presented the people's wish and sentiment at the meeting", Yaima Shah said.

After listening to both sides, the MHA officials brought out a six-point proposal and asked the Meitei and Kuki-Zo representatives to point out the proposals acceptable to them.

The MHA officials also gave time to both the Meitei and Kuki-Zo delegates to discuss the proposals separately.

None of the six proposals would harm the interest of Manipur, he said.

However, when MHA officials asked both the parties to sign on the six-point proposal and make a collective appeal to the people if the points are acceptable, the Kuki-Zo leaders said that they need to first consult with the people.

The meeting ended there, Yaima Shah.

"While we accepted the six-point proposal and tried to bring a solution, the MHA officials saw the obstinate and grudging nature of the Kuki-Zo leaders", he said.

"We went to the meeting with a firm conviction not to ever compromise the interest of the people of Manipur and the State's territorial integrity", he said.

The MHA officials made it clear that Meitei and Kuki-Zo representatives would be invited to another round of meeting, he added.

The six-point proposal made by MHA at the April 5 meeting;
1.Appeal to their people to refrain from indulging in violence targeting members of the other community and urged the administration to take strong action against perpetrators of violence.

2.Appreciated steps taken by the Governor to facilitate deposit of arms and assured to extend all cooperation in this regard in future in order to instill a sense of security among the people.

3.Acknowledged the difficulties faced by the public on account of obstruction to free movement of traffic on national and state highways and urged the people to cooperate with the administration to normalize functioning of highways.

4.Decided to welcome any initiative by the Government to facilitate return of internally displaced people to their respective places subject to logistics and security arrangements made by the government.

5.Appealed to the Governor to prioritise development activities in their areas which were neglected during the conflict.

6.Agreed that all long term and contentious issues will be taken up with GoI (MHA) for resolution through dialogue and consultation with the communities.