Manipur: The National People’s Party (NPP) President and Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma, visited Kangpokpi on Friday, October 10 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.
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.
“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 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.
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.
Expressing gratitude for Sangma’s concern and visit, CoTU reaffirmed its faith in democratic engagement and the peaceful pursuit of justice.
On 3 May 2023, ethnic violence erupted in India’s north-eastern state of Manipur between the Meitei people, a majority that lives in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal community from the surrounding hills. According to government figures, as of 22 November 2024, 258 people have been killed in the violence and 60,000 people have been displaced. Earlier figures also mentioned over 1,000 injured, and 32 missing. 4,786 houses were burnt and 386 religious structures were vandalised, including temples and churches. Unofficial figures are higher.
