Seventeen months and 12 days after violence erupted in Manipur, the Ministry of Home Affairs convened the first ever peace meeting on October 15, inviting state legislators from the Meitei, Kuki, and Naga communities currently in power. This is the first time representatives from all three communities gathered in such a setting. However, the absence of Union home minister Amit Shah was notable. Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Gopchade, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra, and other officials attended.
No opposition MLA was called to the discussion. Leader of the opposition in the Manipur assembly and Congress leader Keisham Meghachandra Singh, despite being in New Delhi, was not invited. In a conversation with The Wire on October 15, he expressed his views on the ongoing conflict and the recent summons he received from the Enforcement Directorate. Meghachandra also outlined his vision for a path to peace in Manipur, a perspective he believes has been largely ignored in current dialogue.
The following are excerpts of the conversation.
How do you view the significance of the MHA meeting today?
I’m not particularly happy about it. In a democracy, as we know, the participation of different political parties and opposition MLAs is critical. This kind of collective decision-making and joint meeting is essential in ensuring a healthy democratic process, especially given the current situation in Manipur. The turmoil there is unprecedented. The participation of different leaders and political parties would certainly benefit the democratic process.
But this, though a step in the right direction, is far from a perfect meeting. I just want to stress that this meeting, while for peace, is incomplete without everyone at the table. Yes, this is a step, but there is more that needs to be done.
What are your thoughts on the opposition being excluded from the meeting?
I believe the central government is not being sincere. If the opposition were invited, we would certainly have welcomed and participated in the talks. There’s no insecurity from the Congress’s side. The situation in Manipur is deeply serious, and it’s affecting people on such a fundamental level. Since May 2023, life has been at a standstill, with people unable to move freely between the hills and valleys, and the main highways blocked. So if the opposition had been invited, everyone would have gladly participated, given the suffering of the people.
The home minister himself was not present.
From reliable sources, I’ve learned that the honourable home minister, Shri Amit Shah, wasn’t at the meeting. Additionally, the Chief Minister of Manipur, Biren Singh, wasn’t there either. Without their presence, how can this be a productive meeting? The state administration, especially the home department, falls under the chief minister’s supervision, and if he isn’t attending, along with the home minister, I doubt the meeting will yield any meaningful results. How can the officials of the home ministry conduct such an important meeting without the ministers who hold authority over the state’s issues? This doesn’t seem appropriate, and it’s a poor reflection of the situation. The absence of these key figures undermines the entire meeting.
Are you skeptical of the outcome of the meeting?
Yes, I am. A minister left for Imphal even before the meeting started. I don’t know why, but it suggests that the importance of this meeting is not being taken seriously. It’s possible that he left because Amit Shah wasn’t present, but I can’t confirm that. However, it’s disheartening to see ministers leaving before such an important meeting even begins.
If Congress had been invited, what would your approach have been in this meeting?
We would have done everything in our power to pressure the central government to resolve the situation quickly. The solution is entirely in the hands of the central government. If they were genuinely committed to ending the crisis, it could be resolved within a month. The central government has seized control of the state’s powers. For instance, the chairman of the Unified Command is supposed to be the state’s chief minister, but now that role has been handed over to Kuldeep Singh, a retired IPS officer, by the central government. This shows that the state’s authority is being diminished.
There was a claim made by Kuldeep Singh about 900 militants coming from Myanmar. Do you think this has created more distance between Kuki and Meitei community?
Kuldeep Singh did make that claim, and it was verified by local SPs. However, I believe it was a wrong statement to make. It reflects the failure of the intelligence system and law enforcement. Such statements only add fuel to the fire and worsen the unrest between communities. The announcement lacked clarity and responsibility, and it led to more chaos rather than providing any resolution.
Can you talk about the ongoing blockades in Manipur? Are the main lifelines of the state still cut off?
Yes, the two main national highways, which are lifelines for the state, remain blocked. One of them is the Imphal-Dimapur Road, and the other is the Imphal-Silchar Road via Jiribam. These roads are crucial for transporting essential commodities like food and petroleum products. For instance, LPG, which is vital, is not reaching the people in sufficient quantities. As a result, prices in the black market have skyrocketed. A refill cylinder that should cost around Rs 1,000 is being sold for more than Rs 2,000. This is causing immense hardship for the people. The government-supplied rice is also not being distributed properly. For the past three months, the free rice has not reached the people. Even though the home minister promised adequate supplies, nothing has changed. So, yes, this is a very significant problem.
Now, about the ED notice you received. What was in the notice?
I received the notice on October 7, which was the same day I was summoned, so I missed the opportunity to appear. The notice didn’t mention anything specific; it was just a summons. I don’t hold any government post or have any financial dealings that would warrant such a notice. I believe the ED is just trying to intimidate me, but I will cooperate fully. There’s nothing in the notice that connects me to any financial misuse or involvement with underground activities. I’m simply an elected representative working for the people.
Do you think the government is trying to silence Meitei voices in Manipur like yours?
Yes, I believe so. There was an incident at Kangla Fort where I was beaten black and blue by some miscreants. Despite this, the state government didn’t take any action. It seems like they’re trying to silence me and others who are critical of their handling of the situation. I have always tried to offer constructive suggestions for peace, but it seems the government is more interested in protecting its position than resolving the crisis.
Do you think the government is going against everyone who demands its resignation, whether they are Meitei, Kuki, or Naga?
I have never seen such a failure of governance in my political career. The administration has collapsed, and the failure of intelligence and law enforcement is shocking. The people are restless, and the government has lost control of the situation. This administration has failed the people at every level.
Lastly, what do you think the outcome of today’s meeting will be?
I always hope for a positive outcome. If the meeting brings the Meitei and Kuki communities together to resolve the crisis, I will welcome it with open arms. But it’s been over 17 months, and countless lives have been lost. Thousands are still in relief camps, traumatised. The government should have taken action much earlier. Still, I pray that this meeting brings about peace and normalcy in Manipur. However, as I tweeted earlier today, the current system of governance is hopeless and paralysed. Corruption is rampant, and the people are suffering. Extortion has become the norm, and the state is in chaos. The people are being extorted by various groups, and the government is doing nothing to stop it. This situation is unsustainable, and unless something changes, the unrest will only continue.
