New Delhi: For the first time since the ethnic violence broke out in Manipur about 17 months ago, MLAs from Meitei, Kuki and Naga communities are going to meet here on Tuesday as part of efforts to restore peace in the conflict-torn state. Sources gave this information. This meeting has been called by the Home Ministry as part of efforts to resolve differences between the Meitei and Kuki communities, find an amicable solution to the ongoing conflict there and end the differences. Sources said that the meeting may be attended by Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh and MLA Thongam Biswajit Singh from the Meitei community and Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen (both ministers of state) from the Kuki community. The Naga community will be represented by MLAs Ram Muivah, Awangbo Newmai and L. Dikho.

Home Minister Amit Shah had said this

Home Minister Amit Shah and Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh will not attend this meeting. About a month ago, Shah had said that dialogue between the Kuki and Meitei communities is needed to resolve the situation in Manipur and the Center is in talks with both the groups, after which this meeting is being held between the leaders of these groups.

Shah had made a similar statement while reviewing the security situation in Manipur on June 17. A statement issued by the Home Ministry said that the Home Minister underlined the importance of a coordinated approach to resolve the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state and said that "the Home Ministry will talk to both the groups - Meitei and Kuki - at the earliest to bridge the ethnic divide."

First meeting since ethnic violence erupted

Sources said all the Naga, Kuki and Meitei MLAs and ministers who attended the meeting were invited by the Home Ministry through letters and telephone calls. Ten Kuki MLAs, including seven BJP MLAs, did not attend the assembly sessions held in the meantime. As per the wishes of the people of the Kuki community, the MLAs of the community have also stressed on the demand for a separate administration or union territory for tribal people in Manipur. These 10 MLAs also include Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen, who are ministers in the Biren Singh-led government in Manipur.

More than 200 people died in ethnic violence

Ethnic violence broke out on May 3 last year after a tribal unity march was taken out in the hill districts of the state to protest against the demand of Scheduled Caste status for the majority Meitei community in Manipur. More than 220 people from the Kuki and Meitei communities and security personnel have been killed in the violence that has continued in the state since then.