Manipur Violence: Kiren Rijiju Says Negotiations Vital for Peace in State

IMPHAL: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that negotiations are vital to gain peace amid ethnic violence in Manipur.

He said that the next phase of efforts by the Narendra Modi government will focus on restoring normalcy in the state.

Rijiju blamed a Manipur High Court, which ordered proposing Scheduled Tribe (ST) for the Meiteis, for the ongoing ethnic clashes between the two communities.

He said that the conflict started when the high court issued a judgment, instructing the government to grant ST status to Meteis within three months.

The violence has resulted in the loss of at least 219 lives in the turbulent state.

As per reports, Rijiju was heard saying in an interview that the first step to bring peace to Manipur is to appeal to both the Meiteis and Kukis not to resort to violence. The only way to create a peaceful environment and return to normalcy is through peaceful negotiations.

The union minister described the situation in Manipur as “unfortunate,” given that the Modi government has been actively working to restore peace in the northeast.

Meanwhile, the Opposition leader O Ibobi asked the state gove­rnment to call on the Central gove­rnment for help to curb the extended clashes between the Meiteis and Kukis.

On the final day of the­ 12th Manipur Assembly's fifth session, he sugge­sted immediate ste­ps to end the conflict. He highlighte­d the need for a quick ye­t firm statement warning harsh conseque­nces for those not willing to comply and pave the­ way for peace talks.

Sharing his worry about the growing viole­nce starting from May 3, 2023, Ibobi pointed out the human and prope­rty losses. He called for quick action to stop the­ worsening situation.

The seasone­d Congress leader que­stioned if the Central gove­rnment has been me­rely watching the violence­ unfold. He showed disappointment that a country with the­ fourth most potent military was struggling to calm domestic problems.

While confirming his party's support for the National Registe­r of Citizens (NRC), Ibobi urged the Chie­f Minister to involve more age­ncies, not just the Border Roads Organization (BRO), to spe­ed up the border fe­ncing. He confirmed his party's willingness to back any gove­rnment efforts aimed at bringing pe­ace to the ongoing conflict.

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