Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and his two deputy chief ministers, Losii Dikho and Nemcha Kipgen, are set to meet in Delhi. The meeting will mark the first face-to-face interaction between the three leaders in months.
BJP leadership has called the three leaders to the national capital amid growing tensions within the state government. The meeting comes as disagreements between the Naga and Kuki representatives have intensified.
BJP Leadership Calls Leaders to Delhi
Singh, Dikho and Kipgen were expected to reach Delhi on Wednesday. They may also meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior BJP leaders.
The meeting comes at a sensitive time for the Manipur government. The BJP-led coalition has faced internal tensions linked to disagreements between Naga and Kuki legislators.
The BJP had formed the new government with representation from the state’s three major communities. Singh represents the Meitei community, while Dikho and Kipgen represent the Naga and Kuki communities.
Tensions Between the Two Deputies
Dikho and Kipgen have remained at odds for several months. Their differences reflect wider tensions between Naga and Kuki groups in the state.
Naga lawmakers recently boycotted Manipur Assembly proceedings. They objected to sharing the House with Kipgen, who has been attending virtually because she has not yet travelled to Imphal.
In September, Dikho and eight other Naga lawmakers wrote to Amit Shah. They sought action against Kipgen and her husband. They alleged links with Kuki militants and accused them of affecting the peace process.
Kipgen has rejected the allegations. She has said that she has been working to reduce tensions between Naga and Kuki communities.
NRC and Census Add to Dispute
The leaders are also expected to discuss the National Register of Citizens and the ongoing Census process.
Several Naga leaders have demanded an NRC exercise before the Census. They have also sought 1951 as the base year for identifying residents.
The issue has created another political divide in the state. Kuki organisations have opposed allegations that members of their community are undocumented immigrants.
Census preparations in Manipur have faced opposition amid the continuing debate over the NRC.
Suspension of Operations Pact Under Focus
The renewal of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement is another major issue. The agreement between the Centre, Manipur government and Kuki-Zo groups expired on September 30.
Naga lawmakers have linked the agreement to the recent Naga-Kuki violence. They have alleged that groups covered by the pact contributed to the violence.
The dispute has added pressure on the BJP-led government to address security concerns while maintaining political dialogue.
Manipur Government Faces Difficult Challenges
Manipur has continued to deal with the effects of ethnic violence that began in 2023. The conflict has caused deaths, displacement and deep divisions between communities.
The state government recently informed the Assembly that at least 306 people had been killed and 49 remained missing since the violence began.
More than 45 people have also reportedly died in Naga-Kuki violence since March.
Delhi Meeting Could Test Political Coordination
The face-to-face meeting between Singh, Dikho and Kipgen will take place against this difficult backdrop. The BJP leadership is expected to seek greater coordination among the three leaders.
The meeting could also provide an opportunity to address disagreements within the coalition. However, the key issues involve wider community tensions that extend beyond the government.
The Delhi discussions will therefore carry significance for both the functioning of the state government and efforts to maintain dialogue among Manipur’s communities.