Kuki groups tell BJP to find political solution before restoration of government in Manipur

Guwahati: Kuki groups in conflict-torn Manipur have asked BJP central leadership to find a "political settlement" to the conflict before formation of a "popular government" as demanded by the Meitei MLAs.

This was conveyed by Kuki Zo Council (KZC), an umbrella body of Kuki-Zo organisations, to BL Santosh, BJP's national general secretary and Sambit Patra, the party in-charge for the Northeast, during a meeting in Kuki-dominated Churachandpur on Thursday.

The two senior leaders met BJP MLAs and other leaders in Meitei-dominated Imphal on Wednesday before meeting the KZC delegation. The Meitei MLAs have been demanding for restoration of the government, which has remained suspended since the President's Rule was promulgated in February.

More than 260 people have died and over 60,000 others have been displaced due to the Meitei-Kuki conflict since May 2023.

"During the interaction, the KZC delegation apprised the visiting leaders of our collective position — emphasizing the need to maintain the status quo along the buffer zone and to pursue an early political settlement for the Kuki-Zo before the invocation of any popular government in Manipur," KZC said in a statement issued on Thursday night.

"The KZC delegation made it categorically clear that we are not opposed to the BJP Government. However, the prevailing ground realities have made it untenable for the Kuki-Zo community to participate willingly in the process of forming a new state government at this juncture," It further said.

Political equations

BJP has 37 MLAs in the House of 60 but 10 representing the Kuki-Zo communities, including seven of BJP, have stayed away from Imphal since the conflict erupted in May 2023.

They have been demanding a "separate administration" in the form of a Union Territory with legislature as the only way forward for finding a solution. Five NPF MLAs are also in favour of the restoration of the government. NPP with six MLAs had earlier withdrawn support while questioning Biren Singh's leadership during the crisis.

But BJP's central leadership wants support from the Kukis for restoration of the government. The KZC's stand comes as a setback as BJP MLAs including former CM N. Biren Singh met central leadership in New Delhi recently and pressed for restoration of the government.