Why newfound warmth between Meiteis and Nagas may not advance cause of Manipur peace

Last month, the Manipur capital saw a rare rally.

Two organisations representing the Meiteis, the majority community in the state, and Nagas, a minority tribal group, marched together on October 31 to demand that the Narendra Modi government scrap a contentious ceasefire agreement with Kuki militant groups.

Since 2023, both communities have been involved in separate ethnic conflicts with Kukis, the other tribal group in Manipur.

The United Naga Council said it was joining the rally called by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity or Cocomi because of the “terror and the existential threat to the indigenous people” of Manipur. The council also held smaller solidarity rallies in all Naga districts in the state.

Historically, both Meiteis and Nagas have had sharp differences over each other’s political demands and over the Naga demand for a separate ethnic homeland.

“With this endorsement, it doesn't mean that all other issues between us have been resolved,” said Ng Lorho, who heads the United Naga Council. “But this time we [came together] because we share interests and an agenda.”

Seilen Haokip, spokesperson of the Kuki National Organisation, called the situation a “nightmare scenario” for the Kukis and said the two groups were “ganging up” against them. The KNO is one of the signatories...

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