Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur, Losii Dikho, said that the Chief Minister of Manipur wants to visit Kuki-Zo–inhabited areas if the people welcome him.
The Deputy Chief Minister made the statement on Friday while interacting with media persons during his visit to Churachandpur district on the occasion of the 78th Zomi Namni, also known as Zomi National Day.
Regarding the steps taken by the government for the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) amid the Manipur conflict, Dikho said the government is ready and has initiated measures to restore normalcy and peace in the state, which he said is its top priority.
With the formation of the State Cabinet under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the priority is restoring peace, and the government is now reaching out to people wherever they are. Due to the prevailing situation, people in Churachandpur could not be reached out to earlier.
“Now our initiative is that we must go out to them, reach out to them, listen to them, discuss together, and try to bring about an understanding. Likewise, we are reaching out to people who cannot come and meet us in Imphal,” Dikho said.
When asked whether there is a chance of an agreement between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities, the Deputy Chief Minister said that such a situation may arise, but it has not been reached yet.
“When the government meets the people and reaches out to them, definitely that kind of understanding will come. We are waiting for that, and that is why we are reaching out to them,” he added.
He further said that the government is doing its best and extending all possible assistance to internally displaced persons, claiming that many of the IDPs are satisfied.
Although there are complaints that some areas could not be reached properly, he said the government will reach those areas as well.
He also stated that there is no discrimination between the valley and the hills and that the government is taking the rehabilitation of IDPs seriously.
Responding to questions on whether the government has reached out to Kuki groups, Dikho said the government met them during the recent tensions between the Tangkhul and Kuki communities in Litan, Ukhrul district, and that the Kuki people were very responsive.
The Deputy Chief Minister also said he has reached out to the Thadou community, adding that their response has been very positive and that they want peace and support the formation of the government.
Regarding the Congress party’s claim that it will form the government in the upcoming Manipur State Assembly elections, Dikho said, “Everyone will say that; it is the propaganda and mentality of political parties. But the present government is confident that we are going to win, and the people will support us. That is what we expect.”
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
