A fresh round of dialogue between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and a joint delegation of three prominent Meitei-based civil society organisations — the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO), the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), and the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) — began in New Delhi today. The meeting, which commenced at around 11 a.m., marks the third formal engagement between the MHA and the Valley-based organisations as part of the Centre’s efforts to address the ongoing conflict in Manipur.
A 19-member delegation representing the three organisations had been constituted following a joint meeting held earlier in Imphal. 7 representatives from COCOMI, 7 from AMUCO, and 5 from FOGS will take part in the discussions. During the preparatory discussions, the leadership of the organisations reviewed the invitation extended by the MHA and finalised a coordinated approach to the dialogue.
COCOMI coordinator Khuraijam Athouba informed during a press briefing that the meeting would focus on pressing issues affecting peace and stability in the state. The delegation, he said, intends to present the sentiments of the people and the realities on the ground, while urging the Centre to initiate concrete and time-bound steps towards resolving the crisis.
According to sources, the delegation is expected to submit a memorandum to the MHA focusing on four key areas — the preservation of Manipur’s territorial integrity, immediate reopening of blocked national highways, rehabilitation of internally displaced persons, and the provision of adequate security in the foothills and fringe areas to facilitate farming during the kharif season.
While details of the ongoing talks remain undisclosed, the discussions are believed to be centred around restoring normalcy, ensuring public safety, and addressing long-standing grievances over the Centre’s perceived inaction. The MHA is also scheduled to hold a separate dialogue with Kuki armed groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement on July 4.
Today’s engagement is seen as a renewed initiative to bridge differences through dialogue. It follows months of memoranda, protests, and appeals submitted by the civil society groups since the outbreak of violence last year. A formal statement from either the MHA or the civil society delegation is expected following the conclusion of the talks.