Congress MLA Urges PM Modi to Meet All Manipur Legislators
The MLA stressed the need for equitable access to the highway for Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities
Congress MLA Thokchom Lokeshwar from Manipur’s Khundrakpam constituency called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to meet all 59 state legislators during his anticipated visit on September 13 to devise a lasting solution to the ethnic violence that has plagued Manipur since May 2023.
The ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has claimed over 260 lives and displaced thousands, prompting the Centre to impose President’s rule following Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s resignation. Lokeshwar emphasized that Modi’s visit, the first since the unrest began, must address the crisis comprehensively by engaging all MLAs and visiting violence-hit areas beyond Imphal and Churachandpur, including Imphal East, Imphal West, and Kangpokpi districts.
Lokeshwar also demanded that the government ensure safe passage for Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities along National Highway 2, particularly through the Kangpokpi section, where tensions have escalated. He condemned groups like the Village Volunteers Coordinating Committee for declaring that Meiteis would be barred from Kuki-dominated areas, urging authorities to arrest those issuing such threats.
The MLA stressed the need for equitable access to the highway for both communities to foster peace and mobility in the strife-torn state, where the state assembly remains in suspended animation until 2027.
The Prime Minister’s visit comes at a critical juncture as Manipur grapples with the aftermath of ethnic clashes and administrative upheaval. Lokeshwar’s call for a proactive approach underscores the urgency of restoring normalcy and rebuilding trust among communities.
With the state under central governance, Modi’s engagement with local leaders and affected regions could pave the way for a roadmap to resolve the crisis, addressing both immediate security concerns and long-term reconciliation efforts in Manipur.
