After Kukis, Meitei group refuses to be part of Manipur peace committee

The Metei group said they would not take part in the peace committee unless illegal immigration and narco-terrorism aggression are controlled.

Guwahati: In an apparent setback to the peace-making process in violence-hit Manipur, both the Kuki and Meitei groups refused to be part of the Ministry of Home Affairs constituted peace committee.

While Kuki groups were already unhappy at Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh being included in the committee, now the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), which comprises of five civil society groups from Metei has expressed displeasure over the composition of the committee.

It has alleged that its convener Jeetendra Ningomba was included in the committee as a member without his consent. According to the COCOMI, ensuring peace is not possible without withdrawing Suspension of Operations (SOO) with insurgents and addressing issues of narco-terrorism and illegal immigration.

Mr Ningomba said people want action against militants and reject the peace committee till all demands are met. He said that violence should end in order to enable the peace committee to function. He said that his consent was not taken while including his name among the members of the committee

Leveling a similar allegation, Kuki Inpi Manipur, a top Kuki group had earlier said that its president was included without neither consulting nor informing him.

The MHA had set up the peace committee on June 10. Headed by Governor Anusuiya Uikey, the committee comprises 51 members including CM Biren Singh, MPs, MLAs and other stakeholders. There are a total of 25 members from Meitei community, 11 from Kuki and 10 from Naga along with three from Muslim and two from Nepali communities.

An ethnic violence broke out in Manipur between Metei and Kuki communities a month back that left 100 people dead and 310 injured.