Imphal: The Kuki leaders based in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district have set up three non-negotiable preconditions for cessation of hostilities ahead of the crucial April 5 meeting between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities called by the Union Home Ministry.
According to Kuki Zo Council (KZC) chairman Henlianthang Thanglet, the three conditions were set up during a consultation meet organised at Kangpokpi by the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) on Tuesday.
The three preconditions for cessation of hostilities are “the movement of Meitei individuals in Kuki-Zo-dominated areas and vice versa shall be strictly restricted, hostilities shall be halted for a minimum period of six months to facilitate negotiations, and a structured formal and meaningful dialogue process must be initiated during the ceasefire period.”
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has called for a meeting between the Kuki Zo and Meitei groups in New Delhi on April 5.
On March 8, the Kuki-Zo-Chin community defied Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s call for free road movement in Manipur by blocking security forces attempting to escort a bus along the Imphal-Senapati route.
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More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based majority Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo tribals since May 2023.
The Centre imposed President’s rule in the state on February 13 after N Biren Singh resigned as chief minister.
