WMC urges Meetei and Kuki MLAs to take initiative for peace in Manipur

The World Meitei Council (WMC) has called upon elected representatives, particularly Meetei and Kuki MLAs, to take immediate and courageous steps towards resolving the ongoing crisis in Manipur, which has stretched into its third year.
In a statement issued after a detailed meeting of its Central Executive Committee, the WMC said that while various efforts have been made, the conflict between the Meetei and Kuki communities remains unresolved, and the central government has failed to take decisive action. The recent remarks by the Union Home Minister, the WMC noted, further reflect the Centre’s inability to bring about a meaningful resolution.
The WMC appealed to the state’s elected leaders to rise above political divisions and assume responsibility for steering the state towards peace. “Someone must take the first courageous step in the right direction,” the statement read, stressing that the burden of suffering continues to fall on ordinary people.
Acknowledging that mistakes have occurred on both sides, the WMC questioned how long the public must continue to endure pain, division, and insecurity. It emphasised that reconciliation is a human necessity and urged for meaningful actions that could restore trust between communities.
The organisation also called for the unrestricted reopening of Imphal International Airport, welcoming all citizens without fear or discrimination. It appealed to the Meetei community to uphold moral and social responsibility in ensuring the safety of all arrivals, irrespective of community identity. Highlighting a recent gesture by COCOMI in jointly welcoming Meetei and Kuki victims of the Ahmedabad air crash at the airport, the WMC described the act as a symbolic step towards healing.
Further, it stressed the urgent need to make national highways accessible and safe for all, free from intimidation and violence. Communities, especially the Meeteis and Kukis, must work to guarantee secure passage for everyone.
“The people are watching. Lead us forward. The civil society will follow,” the WMC urged, directing its final and strongest appeal to the MLAs of both communities. The council reiterated that the future of Manipur depends not on external intervention but on the willingness of its elected representatives to act now.