Imphal, Oct 16 (IANS) Manipur Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai, who attended the first-ever meeting on the state’s ethnic violence in New Delhi on Wednesday said here that there would be more meetings and talks involving Meitei, Kuki and Naga leaders in the future to resolve the protracted communal strife in the northeastern state.
Newmai, who belongs to the Naga People's Front (NPF), returned here from the national capital, said that Tuesday’s meeting was an initial talk before the many such meets in the upcoming months.
The NPF is an ally of the ruling BJP in Manipur.
“Centre, state government and everyone concerned wanted to continue talks to find out an amicable solution to the ongoing ethnic crisis,” the Naga leader told the media and appreciated the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for convening the meeting.
Newmai, who holds the Water Resources, Relief and Disaster Departments, said that everyone participating in Tuesday's meeting wanted to hold frequent meetings between the different communities to restore peace in Manipur at the earliest.
He said: “From the Tuesday’s meeting we find many positive initiatives taken by the MHA in regards to the ethnic crisis and development of Manipur.”
Three Naga MLAs of NPF -- Newmai, Losii Dikho and Ram Muivah -- participated in Tuesday's meeting, where altogether seven Ministers and 13 legislators from Meitei, Kuki and Naga communities took part.
The meeting was called by the Intelligence Bureau under the MHA.
Eight Meitei MLAs, including four ministers and four Kuki-Zo community MLAs including two ministers reportedly participated in the meeting.
Law Minister Basantakumar Singh, and Health Minister Sapam Ranjan Singh, who belong to the majority Metei community, also returned from Delhi on Wednesday, but they, so far, did not interact with the media.
The four Kuki-Zo MLAs -- Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen, both ministers and Haokholet Kipgen and Ngursanglur Sanate – in a joint statement said that they held separate meetings with the MHA officials and further asserted that a separate administration or a Union Territory for the tribals (Kuki-Zo community) is a prerequisite for any peace dialogue.
Other Kuki-Zo MLAs including Paolienlal Haokip, who did not attend the meeting, separately told the media in Manipur that in future such meetings on the ethnic crisis should be more formal and Union Home Minister Amit Shah should preside over these meetings.
After Tuesday's meeting, the MHA issued a brief statement saying that a group of elected members of the Manipur Assembly, representing Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Meitei and Naga communities, met in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss on the current scenario in the state.
“The meeting unanimously resolved to appeal to the people of the state belonging to all communities to shun the path of violence so that no more precious lives of innocent citizens are lost,” the statement said.
In Tuesday's meeting, MHA’s advisor, North East Affairs, A. K. Mishra, Intelligence Bureau’s Joint Director Rajesh Kumble and other senior officials and BJP’s North-East India Coordinator Sambit Patra, the saffron party’s Manipur in-charge Ajeet Gopchade were present.
--IANS
sc/dan
You may also like
Maharashtra, Jharkhand elections: EC instructs observers to ensure transparency and swift grievance redressal during polls
Mumbai: KEM Hospital Receives ₹72 Lakh Donation For Advanced Cardiac Equipment Enabling Groundbreaking Epilepsy Research
Zakir Naik a fugitive, plea should not be entertained: Maha govt to SC
Thane: 19-Year-Old Dies After Being Struck By Local Train While 'Crossing Rail Track' Between Kalwa And Thane Station
Liverpool owners FSG make decision on billion dollar investment
Himachal Pradesh: Shimla hosts four-day flying festival, attracts enthusiasts from India and abroad
Swachhta Pakhwada 2024: Western Railway Collects 10.5 Tons Of Plastic Waste During Cleanliness Drive Held Between Oct 1-15
Navi Mumbai: NatConnect Launches Awareness Campaign On International E-Waste Day
BSF seizes drugs worth Rs 41 lakhs in Tripura
Mumbai: Western Railway Conducts Mock Drill At Jogeshwari Station To Enhance Emergency Response Readiness
Akbar's restaurants founder Shabir Hussain dies aged 56 as tributes pour in for 'King of Curry'
Andy Murray wins first trophy in new sport just months after retiring from tennis
Haryana: Nayab Singh Saini Elected As Leader Of BJP Legislature Party, To Be Sworn In As Chief Minister For Second Term On October 17
12 safer ways to beat heartburn after acid reflux meds linked to dementia
Navi Mumbai: Godrej Properties To Develop 6.54 Acres Of Prime Land In Kharghar
Shakib Al Hasan Set To Get Home Farewell; Included In Bangladesh Squad For 1st Test VS South Africa
Why Is The Moon Worshipped On Karwa Chauth? Significance Of Chandra Puja
Real reason Hailey Bieber snubbed Victoria's Secret fashion show amid 'personal struggles'
M6 crash: 'Car drove wrong way down motorway' before horror collision killed five including two kids
DI Ray season 2: Release date, cast details and episode count