The National People's Party (NPP) President and Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma, visited Kangpokpi today as part of his two-day visit to strife-torn Manipur and met with several civil society organisations at Brig. M. Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi.
The NPP chief was accompanied by Kshetrigao AC MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan, Tamenglong AC MLA Janghemlung Panmei, former MP Dr. Lorho S. Pfoze, and others.
Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights, KSO Sadar Hills, KWU Sadar Hills, tribal leaders, and several other civil society organisations attended the interaction programme with the NPP chief.
The student community welcomed the Meghalaya Chief Minister by forming a human chain, while students from Diamond English High School performed a traditional dance to honour his visit.
In a deeply empathetic and emotionally charged interaction with Kuki civil society leaders at Kangpokpi on Thursday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma called for a gradual and organic process of healing and confidence-building among communities affected by the prolonged conflict in Manipur.
The Chief Minister, who has embarked on a peace outreach mission across the state, described the suffering of the Kuki-Zo people as “unimaginable and deeply painful,” admitting that he had “no words” or “ready solution” to offer except a sincere willingness to listen, understand, and help facilitate dialogue.
“I’m not here to tell you what to do or to direct you. I have come to listen, to understand, and to carry your message forward,” Sangma said, underscoring his role as a facilitator rather than a problem-solver.
He stressed that restoring peace and normalcy in Manipur could not happen overnight, but must unfold “one step at a time, in an organic manner” built upon trust and mutual confidence. Describing peace as a “healing process that takes time,” he urged community leaders to keep communication channels open and take small steps toward rebuilding broken relationships.
Touching on ground-level concerns, Sangma addressed fears expressed by Kuki residents over safe travel along highways and the possible disruption of relief supplies for internally displaced persons (IDPs). He assured the gathering that such issues would be conveyed to the Government of India, emphasizing that assistance and support must continue until the displaced are guaranteed safety and dignified rehabilitation.
“Till the government is able to provide safety, security, and rehabilitation to the people, the current support status must continue,” he asserted.
In what was seen as a subtle but significant political message, Sangma’s remarks reflected both empathy and quiet criticism of administrative inaction. By acknowledging the community’s pain while calling for trust-based dialogue, he projected himself as a neutral and compassionate regional leader seeking to bridge divides in the strife-torn state.
The NPP's chief intervention comes at a crucial juncture when the absence of a democratically elected government in Manipur and the continued displacement of thousands have widened the trust deficit. His outreach, therefore, is viewed as an attempt to revive confidence among affected tribal communities and remind both the Centre and the state that genuine peace will require empathy-driven engagement rather than administrative directives.
Ending his address on a note of hope, Sangma said he was ready to play any role that could help facilitate understanding and reconciliation.
“If I can play a role, or if any of my leaders can play a role in facilitating this process, we are here to help and support,” he said. “We can only urge that, one step at a time, we move together to find a permanent solution and bring peace to the region.”
Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills Kangpokpi, submitted a memorandum to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma during his maiden visit to Kangpokpi district, seeking humanitarian relief measures and political intervention for the Kuki-Zo community displaced by the ongoing Manipur conflict.
Welcoming the NPP Chief, CoTU expressed deep appreciation for the compassion and hospitality extended by the people and administration of Meghalaya toward the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled from what the memorandum termed as “religious and ethnic persecution engineered by the majoritarian community in Manipur since May 3, 2023.”
In its submission, CoTU urged the Meghalaya government to consider the waiver of school and medical fees for displaced children and patients currently taking refuge in Meghalaya. The organisation further sought a reduction of rental fees for IDPs and simplification of documentation procedures for those seeking admission to schools, colleges, or medical institutions within the state.
The memorandum also highlighted the urgent need for the resettlement of displaced Kuki-Zo villagers in their original or designated locations with adequate provisions of electricity, water supply, and security, ensuring a safe and dignified return for the affected families.
Significantly, CoTU called upon the Meghalaya Chief Minister to advocate at the national level for a political solution for the Kuki-Zo community, whom it described as “a minority Christian tribal group facing unrelenting ethnic and religious persecution from the majoritarian Meitei community.”
The Committee emphasized that constitutional protection under Article 239A—granting Union Territory status with legislature—could pave the way for long-term peace and stability in the region.
Expressing gratitude for Sangma’s concern and visit, CoTU reaffirmed its faith in democratic engagement and the peaceful pursuit of justice.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
