CRPF and Jiribam Administration Hold Meeting Between Ethnic Groups, Talks for Peace Process and Normalcy

The situation again went tense in Manipur’s capital when police in Imphal’s Singjamei area resorted to firing several rounds of tear gas as protesters clashed with Manipur Police on Thursday. A mass rally organized by the Committee on Protection of Meetei Victims (COPMeV) in Singjamei’s Akampat area quickly escalated as demonstrators advocating for the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) confronted the police. The IDPs marched through the streets of Akampat, demanding immediate resettlement and rehabilitation measures and an urgent need for government intervention.

The situation in nearby district Jiribam is also on the brink as the Hmar tribal groups allege that three youths from this tribe were killed in extrajudicial killing by the Cachar Police on July 17. Both Hmar and Kuki tribal groups are protesting this move and have filed a writ petition at the Gauhati High Court.

In a significant step towards restoring peace and stability, a crucial meeting was convened at the Group Centre CRPF in Dayapur, Cachar, Assam, on August 1, 2024. The meeting brought together representatives from the Meetei and Hmar communities of Jiribam District. Moderated by the Jiribam District Administration, the session witnessed the participation of senior officials including the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Jiribam, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of CRPF Jiribam, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SP) of Jiribam, and the Commandants of the 39 Assam Rifles and the 87 Bn CRPF.

The discussions culminated in a consensus on several critical points aimed at fostering harmony and cooperation between the Meetei and Hmar communities, with representatives from the Paite, Thadou, and Mizo communities also in attendance.

Key Resolutions:

1. Both sides will make full efforts to bring normalcy and prevent incidents of arson and firing.
2. Both sides shall give full cooperation to all the security forces operating in Jiribam.
3. Both sides agreed to facilitate controlled and coordinated movement.
4. Next date of meeting will be held post-15th August, 2024.

The meeting’s outcomes are expected to significantly impact the socio-political landscape of Jiribam, fostering a spirit of unity and mutual respect among the diverse communities. The next meeting, scheduled after August 15, 2024, will review the progress and chart further actions to sustain the momentum of peacebuilding efforts.