Northeast Desk, 7th March: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized the importance of negotiations as the key to restoring peace in Manipur amid ongoing ethnic violence. He stated that the Narendra Modi government’s next phase of efforts will focus on returning the state to normalcy. Rijiju attributed the clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur to a Manipur High Court order recommending Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meiteis, which he claimed sparked the violence.
Rijiju stressed the need for peaceful negotiations between the Meiteis and Kukis, urging both groups to refrain from resorting to armed conflict. He highlighted the government’s efforts, including Prime Minister Modi’s appeals for peace, and emphasized the importance of dialogue to achieve a peaceful resolution.
Regarding the high court’s order recommending ST status to the Meiteis, Rijiju described it as a unique directive that triggered reactions leading to clashes. He clarified that determining tribal status is a government policy matter and criticized attributing the clashes to the central government.
Rijiju expressed disappointment over the politicization of the issue by certain parties and highlighted the Modi government’s efforts to promote peace and development in the northeast. He emphasized that despite challenges, the government remains committed to restoring peace in Manipur.
The ethnic conflict in Manipur erupted following the high court’s instruction to consider including Meiteis in the ST list. Subsequent modifications to the order aimed to address the escalating violence. Rijiju underscored the need for dialogue and urged all parties to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which has claimed numerous lives and disrupted the region’s stability.
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