In a first since unrest hit Manipur in 2023, Meitei MLA urges for unity in rare visit to Kuki villages

Guwahati: In what came as a silver lining in conflict-torn Manipur, a senior Meitei MLA on Monday travelled to two Kuki villages in two Naga-dominated districts with a message of peace reconciliation.

Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a former rural development minister and Speaker of Manipur Assembly, first travelled to Litan, a Kuki hamlet in Ukhrul, a Naga dominated district bordering Myanmar, and interacted with Kuki villagers and inquired about their condition and hardships faced in the past two and half years. He later visited Chassad, another Kuki village in Kamjong, also a Naga-dominated district.

Manipur has remained embroiled in the conflict since May 2023, resulting in deaths of over 260 people and displacement of over 60,000 others, both in the Meitei-dominated Valley and Kuki-dominated hill districts.

Khemchand visited the Kuki villages at a time the government is trying to break the ice and find a solution to the conflict through talks.

Manipur has remained under President's Rule since February this year.

Although there was no reaction from Lok Bhawan, (Raj Bhawan) Manipur, sources said Khemchand's visit was part of the Centre's efforts to restore confidence between the two communities and thereby try to restore peace.

"There are conflicts among different countries, among different communities across the world. But, we should learn to live in harmony despite the existing differences. There should not be any hindrance in visiting each other's villages,” Yumnam said.

“We should not allow this conflict affect the future of our children. We, the elders, may have differences, but we should think about our children's future."

The Valley and the Kuki-dominated hills has remained divided since the conflict began and people from both sides are avoiding visits to each other's areas out of fear of fresh conflict. Kukis have been demanding a "separate administration" to end the conflict. Meiteis are against it.

Singh's visit came at a time displaced Meiteis living in relief camps in the Valley have been agitating for facilitating their return to their original homes in Kuki-dominated districts. Several displaced persons were injured after they were stopped while going back to Kuki-dominated districts, in the past two weeks.

Later, reacting to Khemchand's visit, Litan Sareikhing relief camp issued a statement saying the Meitei MLA visited the camp when the elders were out for work and only women and children were in the camp. Leaders of the Kuki relief camp said they don't welcome such "uninformed" visit.