For the first time since the ethnic crisis began, three of Manipur’s most influential civil groups are heading to Delhi with a joint agenda. The delegation seeks urgent steps from the MHA to restore order, contain violence in the hill districts, and honour past commitments.
BY PC Bureau
Imphal, June 29 | New Delhi — In a major push to resolve the enduring crisis in Manipur, a 19-member delegation representing three of the state’s leading civil society organisations will meet officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi on June 30.
The delegation brings together representatives from the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO), the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), and the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS). This marks the first time the three groups will present a unified agenda before the Centre, a move being seen as a significant development in Manipur’s long search for peace.
Speaking to the media ahead of the talks, COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba stressed the importance of the meeting and the expectations riding on it.
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“We will convey the people’s anger and anxiety directly to the MHA. This is not just another routine meeting. Manipur needs results, and it needs them now,” he said.
This will be the third round of dialogue between the Centre and civil society stakeholders since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023. Previous meetings were held separately with individual groups, but Monday’s joint representation is expected to lend greater weight and coordination to their demands.
Athouba pointed out that while there is a semblance of peace in the valley, large parts of the hill districts remain volatile.
“The violence and armed aggression in the hills have not been addressed. The government must take a holistic approach. Peace in just one region cannot be the solution,” he said.
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The delegation is expected to press the MHA for immediate steps to restore law and order, curb violence, and initiate confidence-building measures. Athouba warned that without visible progress, public trust would continue to deteriorate.
“Assurances were made in earlier meetings, but they remain unfulfilled. This time, we will seek accountability and timelines. Action must follow words,” he added.
This is the first time AMUCO, COCOMI, and FOCS are sitting across the table together with central officials. Analysts believe this show of unity could give civil society a stronger voice in the Centre’s strategy for Manipur.
The conflict, which erupted more than a year ago, has claimed over 200 lives and displaced thousands. Despite multiple rounds of talks and heavy security deployment, several areas continue to witness intermittent violence, displacement, and deep ethnic divisions.
