IT News
Imphal, Oct 16:
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) has dismissed reports suggesting that Kuki, Meitei, and Naga MLAs held a joint meeting in New Delhi regarding the ongoing conflict in Manipur. According to a statement from the ITLF, Kuki-Zo representatives are firm on their demand for a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory (UT) with its own legislature. “There can’t be talk of peace before this demand is met,” a leader of the forum asserted.
The ITLF leader clarified that Kuki MLAs did not participate in any joint meeting with Meitei or Naga legislators. “If there is a need to sit together with Meitei and Naga representatives, the Kuki-Zo MLAs must first consult with various Kuki-Zo civil society organizations,” the leader said, citing a statement by Chinlunthang, the convenor representing all Kuki-Zo MLAs. ITLF spokesperson Ginza revealed that the Kuki-Zo-Hmar representatives held a separate meeting with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Kuki MLA Paolienlal Haokip, in a conversation with a news agency, expressed dissatisfaction with the meeting, calling it a mere “eyewash.” He criticized the Home Ministry’s handling of the talks, pointing out the absence of Home Minister Amit Shah and the lack of formal communication. “For a significant meeting like this, there should have been a formal invitation rather than just phone calls,” Haokip said, adding that the meeting would have carried more weight had Shah or a junior minister presided over it.