Centre won't be able to bring peace: Leisiyo
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 19 2025: Phungyar AC MLA K Leisiyo has categorically stated that there must be a popular Government if peace must be restored in Manipur.

Neither the Central Government nor any external force would be able to restore peace in the State, said the NPF MLA representing Phungyar AC.

Talking with The Sangai Express, K Leisiyo said that the impacts of the Meitei-Kuki conflict which erupted on May 3, 2023 are not restricted to the two communities alone but all the communities living in Manipur are also suffering.

Starting from the smallest communities to the largest communities, all have been affected, he said.

Till date, the National Highways are not open to all the communities.

With one particular community denied access to the National Highways, they have been travelling by air incurring huge expenditures, he said.

Economic activities of the particular community have been severely affected as they cannot cultivate paddy on large tracts of agricultural land or go to hills.

On the other hand, another community cannot access the facilities provided by specialised institutions like universities, colleges and hospitals located at Imphal.

Moreover, their agricultural and horticultural produces cannot be marketed properly thereby denting the community's economy, Leisiyo said.

Pointing out that all the communities have been living under such crippling situation for over two years, the MLA asked how long the people should suffer.

There have been peace initiatives, talks and seizure of weapons but peace remains elusive, he remarked.

"To bring an end to the people's suffering, peace must be restored and in order to bring peace, we must talk and work for peace", he said.

"If we don't work for peace and development, no one from outside will come to take this responsibility", Leisiyo said.

He said that all peace initiatives must begin with the public leaders.

The Government must make arrangements to bring the 10 Chin-Kuki MLAs to Imphal and they must be given full security, he said.

"We must sit together and talk.

We shall invite them (Chin-Kuki MLAs) to Imphal but it requires approval of CSOs of both the sides", he continued.

At the same time, the valley MLAs must be enabled to go to hills.

Creating such an atmosphere where leaders can visit each other can pave the way to peace.

Once the MLAs come together, the possibility of forming a popular Government will take a more concrete shape, Leisiyo said.

If the existing situation persists, there is little hope of a popular Government, he added.

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