GUWAHATI: Facing flak for failing to bring peace in the roiled region, the BJP govt in Manipur Thursday made the first breakthrough by facilitating an agreement between the conflicting Meitei and the Hmar, belonging to the Kuki-Chin-Zo ethnic group of Jiribam district, to end hostilities and re-establish peace. Although restricted to Jiribam, govt sources described it as a big achievement towards their plans to bring back peace in the valley and hill areas of Manipur.The resolutions adopted said that “both sides will make full efforts to bring normalcy and prevent incidents of arson and firing.” “The signing of the agreement, though confined to one district now, marks the first step towards resolving the ongoing conflict between the two communities,” an official said.
“The signing of the agreement, though confined to one district now, marks the first step towards resolving the ongoing conflict between the two communities and for further dialogue and reconciliation efforts, with the ultimate goal of ensuring lasting peace and stability in the troubled state,” an official associated with the peace process said.
The agreement said both sides would cooperate with all the security forces operating in Jiribam and agreed to facilitate controlled and coordinated movement. The two sides will meet again after August 15, the meeting decided.
Hours earlier, Manipur CM Biren Singh informed the monsoon session of the state assembly that govt is working hard towards peace talks and several discussions have taken place in Assam’s Silchar, bordering Jiribam district. He had added that an announcement would be made soon.
The reconciliation meeting was held at a CRPF group centre at Dayapur near Silchar in Assam’s Cachar district on Thursday morning, which was moderated by Jiribam district administration.
The meeting was held between representatives of the Meitei and Hmar communities of Jiribam district. Representatives of other tribal communities — Paite, Thadou and Mizo of Jiribam district — also attended.
Jiribam district remained largely unaffected by the large-scale violence since May 3 last year until June 6 this year, when a 59-year-old Meitei farmer, Soibam Saratkumar Singh, went missing.
Last month, a CRPF jawan was killed and three other security personnel injured when suspected militants ambushed a joint patrol party with the state police in Jiribam district.
“The signing of the agreement, though confined to one district now, marks the first step towards resolving the ongoing conflict between the two communities and for further dialogue and reconciliation efforts, with the ultimate goal of ensuring lasting peace and stability in the troubled state,” an official associated with the peace process said.
The agreement said both sides would cooperate with all the security forces operating in Jiribam and agreed to facilitate controlled and coordinated movement. The two sides will meet again after August 15, the meeting decided.
Hours earlier, Manipur CM Biren Singh informed the monsoon session of the state assembly that govt is working hard towards peace talks and several discussions have taken place in Assam’s Silchar, bordering Jiribam district. He had added that an announcement would be made soon.
The reconciliation meeting was held at a CRPF group centre at Dayapur near Silchar in Assam’s Cachar district on Thursday morning, which was moderated by Jiribam district administration.
The meeting was held between representatives of the Meitei and Hmar communities of Jiribam district. Representatives of other tribal communities — Paite, Thadou and Mizo of Jiribam district — also attended.
Jiribam district remained largely unaffected by the large-scale violence since May 3 last year until June 6 this year, when a 59-year-old Meitei farmer, Soibam Saratkumar Singh, went missing.
Last month, a CRPF jawan was killed and three other security personnel injured when suspected militants ambushed a joint patrol party with the state police in Jiribam district.