Manipur buffer zones may continue ‘where wounds of violence remain deep’, says deputy CM: Report

The buffer zones between the areas dominated by the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur may need to continue where the “wounds of violence remain deep”, the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen told The Hindu on Thursday.

When asked whether the buffer zones should remain in place or be removed, Kipgen told the newspaper: “My response would be both yes and no. Buffer zones may need to continue in areas where the wounds of violence remain deep. Healing takes time, and safety must be the first priority.”

While the Meiteis dominate the valley region, the Kukis are in the majority in the state’s hill districts.

On February 4, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh took oath as the Manipur chief minister, ending the President’s Rule that had been in place for nearly a year.

Kipgen, who belongs to the Kuki community, and Naga People’s Front MLA Losii Dikho, from the Naga community, were sworn in as deputy chief ministers.

Kipgen, who is the state’s first deputy chief minister from the Kuki-Zo community, had taken oath virtually from the Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi. This came after Kuki groups objected to her joining the government led by Khemchand Singh, a Meitei leader.

After Kipgen took oath, Kuki groups reiterated their demand that MLAs from the community “cannot and should not”...

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