<p>New Delhi: The <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/centre">Centre</a> on Saturday asked the Meitei and the Kuki groups in Manipur to maintain peace in order to find a solution to the conflict that has kept the state on the boil since May 2023.</p><p>This was conveyed to leaders of the two communities, who met for the first time since the conflict erupted. MHA advisor for the Northeast, A. K. Mishra, chaired the meeting on Saturday in New Delhi, which was attended by leaders of several civil society organisations representing both the communities.</p><p>Sources said Kuki-Zo leaders objected to a six-point proposal made by the Centre in the meeting for restoration of peace saying talks on their demand for a "separate administration" must begin first. The proposals included ensuring free movement on the national and state highways, support to the Governor's efforts for disarmament of the communities, rehabilitation of the displaced persons and resolutions of the conflicts through dialogue. Sources said talks with the communities would again take place, date of which was not disclosed. </p><p>After the President's Rule was promulgated on February 13, Mishra held separate meetings with leaders of the two groups in Manipur before inviting them for the joint meeting in New Delhi. </p>.Opposition parties demand PM Modi visit strife-torn Manipur, restore law and order.<p>Leaders of All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) and the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) comprised the Meitei delegation. A nine-member group comprising leaders of Kuki Zo Council, Kuki Inpi Manipur, United Zo Organisation, Hmar Inpi and Zomi Council represented the Kukis.</p><p>The Meiteis demand implementation of an NRC to detect "Chin Kuki illegal migrants" and action against the Kuki insurgents. Kukis, on the other hand, are firm on their demand for a "separate administration", stating that they can not live under the Meitei-controlled administration in view of "constant efforts for an ethnic cleansing." </p><p>The meeting came a day after Home Minister Amit Shah told the Parliament that the government was working to restore peace in Manipur as soon as possible, rehabilitate those affected, and heal the wounds. Shah said the ethnic conflict had started between the two communities following the Manipur High Court's order regarding a reservation-related dispute. </p>.<p><strong>COCOMI unhappy: </strong></p><p>Although the government tried to project the meeting as a "good beginning" towards the restoration of peace, the Co-Ordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an influential forum of Meitei organisations, called it a "stage-managed spectacle" of the MHA. </p><p>It opposed Shah's claim in the Parliament that it was an ethnic conflict. The COCOMI refused to take part in Saturday's meeting. </p><p>More than 260 people have died, and over 60,000 others have been displaced due to the conflict.</p>
<p>New Delhi: The <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/centre">Centre</a> on Saturday asked the Meitei and the Kuki groups in Manipur to maintain peace in order to find a solution to the conflict that has kept the state on the boil since May 2023.</p><p>This was conveyed to leaders of the two communities, who met for the first time since the conflict erupted. MHA advisor for the Northeast, A. K. Mishra, chaired the meeting on Saturday in New Delhi, which was attended by leaders of several civil society organisations representing both the communities.</p><p>Sources said Kuki-Zo leaders objected to a six-point proposal made by the Centre in the meeting for restoration of peace saying talks on their demand for a "separate administration" must begin first. The proposals included ensuring free movement on the national and state highways, support to the Governor's efforts for disarmament of the communities, rehabilitation of the displaced persons and resolutions of the conflicts through dialogue. Sources said talks with the communities would again take place, date of which was not disclosed. </p><p>After the President's Rule was promulgated on February 13, Mishra held separate meetings with leaders of the two groups in Manipur before inviting them for the joint meeting in New Delhi. </p>.Opposition parties demand PM Modi visit strife-torn Manipur, restore law and order.<p>Leaders of All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) and the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) comprised the Meitei delegation. A nine-member group comprising leaders of Kuki Zo Council, Kuki Inpi Manipur, United Zo Organisation, Hmar Inpi and Zomi Council represented the Kukis.</p><p>The Meiteis demand implementation of an NRC to detect "Chin Kuki illegal migrants" and action against the Kuki insurgents. Kukis, on the other hand, are firm on their demand for a "separate administration", stating that they can not live under the Meitei-controlled administration in view of "constant efforts for an ethnic cleansing." </p><p>The meeting came a day after Home Minister Amit Shah told the Parliament that the government was working to restore peace in Manipur as soon as possible, rehabilitate those affected, and heal the wounds. Shah said the ethnic conflict had started between the two communities following the Manipur High Court's order regarding a reservation-related dispute. </p>.<p><strong>COCOMI unhappy: </strong></p><p>Although the government tried to project the meeting as a "good beginning" towards the restoration of peace, the Co-Ordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an influential forum of Meitei organisations, called it a "stage-managed spectacle" of the MHA. </p><p>It opposed Shah's claim in the Parliament that it was an ethnic conflict. The COCOMI refused to take part in Saturday's meeting. </p><p>More than 260 people have died, and over 60,000 others have been displaced due to the conflict.</p>