Songpi: In what is being seen as a significant political breakthrough in conflict-hit Manipur, the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) of the Manipur Legislative Assembly convened a joint meeting on Thursday after a gap of several months. The sitting brought together 14 legislators from Kuki and Naga communities on a single platform at a time when legislative functioning has been severely hit by the ongoing ethnic crisis. The meeting, held both physically and virtually, is being viewed as a tentative but important step towards restoring institutional dialogue among hill leaders.
The meeting was chaired by HAC Chairman and Noney MLA Dinganglung Gangmei. According to sources, seven Kuki legislators and seven Naga legislators participated in the deliberations. The Kuki MLAs who attended were Haokholet Kipgen (Saitu), Ngursanglur Sanate (Tipaimukh), Chinlunthang (Singhat), Letzamang Haokip (Henglep), Letpao Haokip (Tengnoupal), LM Khaute (Churachandpur) and Paolienlal Haokip (Saikot). From the Naga side, those present included Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Khashim Vashum (Chingai), Leishiyo Keishing (Phungyar), Kumo Sha (Karong), Janghemlung Panmei (Tamenglong), Ram Muivah (Ukhrul) and Chairman Gangmei himself.
Chairman Gangmei described the meeting as a “meaningful and threadbare discussion” on issues concerning the hill areas. In a statement posted on social media after the sitting, he said the deliberations were marked by constructive dialogue, mutual understanding and a shared commitment to safeguarding the interests of the hill districts. He also thanked members who joined through online mode, acknowledging that physical travel remains difficult for many hill MLAs due to security concerns and community sensitivities. The HAC is a constitutionally mandated body under Article 371C of the Indian Constitution and is empowered to discuss matters related to tribal development, land, and autonomy in the hill areas.
The significance of the joint sitting lies in its timing. Since the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023, the functioning of the state assembly has been deeply fractured. Kuki MLAs have not been attending assembly sessions in Imphal, citing security risks and have been demanding a separate administration for Kuki-Zo dominated areas. Naga MLAs, while not part of the direct conflict, have largely remained neutral and have been trying to maintain a balancing role. In this context, a joint meeting of Kuki and Naga legislators under the HAC banner after almost two years is being interpreted as a sign of political re-engagement.
While no official resolution was released immediately after the meeting, sources indicated that the discussions focused on developmental issues that have been pending due to the crisis — including utilization of Hill Areas Development funds, functioning of Autonomous District Councils, health and education infrastructure in hill districts, and the issue of Internally Displaced Persons. The committee is also expected to take up the long-pending demand for greater financial and administrative autonomy for ADCs. A senior official who was present said the meeting avoided contentious political demands and focused instead on common administrative concerns that affect both communities.
Political observers in Imphal see the meeting as more symbolic than substantive at this stage, but symbolism matters in Manipur’s current climate. The last full-fledged HAC meeting was held before the violence broke out, and subsequent attempts to convene it had failed due to non-participation. The fact that 14 members joined this time, including senior leaders like Losii Dikho and Letpao Haokip who is also a former minister, suggests a willingness to keep the constitutional mechanism alive. It also comes at a time when the central government has been pushing for dialogue among different stakeholders to restore normalcy ahead of the winter session of the Assembly.
The development also assumes importance in view of the Naga political dimension. The Naga community, which has a significant presence in five hill districts of Manipur, has its own peace process with the Centre. Naga MLAs have repeatedly stated that their participation in HAC should not be seen as taking sides in the Meitei-Kuki conflict, but as a constitutional duty. By attending along with Kuki MLAs, they have signaled that HAC can remain a neutral forum for hill issues. Kuki leaders, on the other hand, have been insisting that any discussion on hill areas must acknowledge the ground reality of total separation of administration that has emerged since 2023.
The meeting was held under tight security arrangements and was not open to media. However, Chairman Gangmei’s post described it as “a productive and successful sitting that reaffirmed the importance of collective deliberation and cooperation.” The absence of Meitei members is natural as HAC comprises only MLAs from hill areas — 18 seats are reserved for tribal areas, including both Naga and Kuki dominated constituencies. Currently two seats are vacant due to disqualification and resignation issues. The presence of 14 out of 16 active members marks near-full attendance.
The joint sitting comes a day after several political developments in the state, including Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh leaving for Delhi for a two-day conference of Chief Ministers and statements by opposition leader O. Ibobi Singh criticizing the government over law and order. In such a scenario, the HAC meeting provides a small window of hope that hill legislators are willing to engage with each other on developmental matters despite deep political divides. Sources said another round of HAC meeting may be held next month to finalize recommendations to be placed before the state government.
For now, both Kuki and Naga MLAs have refrained from making detailed public statements about the meeting’s outcome. No press conference was held, and no resolution copy was circulated. But the fact that the meeting happened at all — with virtual participation ensuring inclusive presence — is being welcomed by civil society groups working on peace-building. The real test will be whether this deliberative spirit can be translated into concrete recommendations for relief and rehabilitation of displaced persons, resumption of development works in hill districts, and eventually, a broader political dialogue for lasting peace in Manipur.
