Manipur CM meets Kuki Zo Council for 1st time since 2023 unrest

Guwahati: Manipur chief minister Y Khemchand Singh on Saturday sat across the table for the first time with members of the Kuki Zo Council since the ethnic unrest that broke out in 2023. The meeting, held in a Guwahati hotel, was aimed at deliberating measures to restore peace and normalcy in the strife-hit state.

In a letter addressed to the council’s chairman, the chief minister’s secretary conveyed Singh’s request for a meeting in Guwahati on Saturday. The agenda, the letter stated, would focus on “matters related to bringing back peace and normalcy in Manipur.”




The invitation was extended amid continuing ethnic tensions in the state, where efforts to rebuild trust between communities remain fragile. Singh’s outreach to the Kuki Zo Council is being seen as part of a broader attempt to engage stakeholders in dialogue and reconciliation.

Singh arrived here from Imphal in the morning. The closed door meeting was continuing till the time of this report

Back in Imphal, Manipur Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Keisham Meghachandra described the current BJP-led govt in the state as “the weakest,” claiming its inability to resolve pressing issues has prolonged unrest.

Speaking to the media, Meghachandra said there was “no hope” under the present dispensation, particularly concerning the law and order situation. “It is very unfortunate that fresh tensions have erupted between Naga and Kuki communities even when the nearly three-year conflict between them remains unresolved,” he remarked.

Meghachandra urged all communities to adopt a mindset of peace and understanding but accused both the state and central governments of failing to coordinate effectively. “We cannot see seriousness in resolving the issue. Many of the fresh conflicts occur in areas where checkposts and outposts of central forces are present. Yet arson and killings continue,” he said.

He further alleged that the state govt lacked a roadmap to peace and was unable to act independently without the consent of the Centre. “It is all because the weakest govt exists in Manipur. Hence, till today, we are not able to resolve issues related to IDPs or establish peace,” Meghachandra added.