In a significant political development, members of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) of the Manipur Legislative Assembly held a joint meeting after a gap of several months. The sitting brought Kuki-Zo and Naga legislators together on a common platform to discuss issues concerning the state’s hill areas.
The meeting took place on September 18 and used a hybrid format. Some legislators attended the proceedings in person, while several others joined through video conferencing.
A total of 14 MLAs from the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities participated in the meeting. The sitting comes against the backdrop of continuing political and social challenges in Manipur following the ethnic violence that began in May 2023.
Seven Kuki-Zo Legislators Participate
Seven Kuki-Zo legislators joined the HAC meeting. They included Haokholet Kipgen of Saitu, Ngasanglur Sanate of Tipaimukh, Chinlunthang of Singhat, Letzamang Haokip of Henglep, Letpao Haokip of Tengnoupal, LM Khaute of Churachandpur and Paolienlal Haokip of Saikot.
Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen attended the meeting physically. The other Kuki-Zo legislators participated through video conferencing.
Their participation provided an opportunity for the legislators to discuss matters affecting the hill areas despite the political and social divisions that have affected Manipur since 2023.
Naga Legislators Join the Sitting
Seven Naga legislators also participated in the meeting. The participants included Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Dinganglung Dangmei of Noney, Khashim Vashum of Chingai, Leishiyo Keishing of Kamjong, Kumo Sha of Karong, Janghemlung Panmei of Tamenglong and Ram Muivah of Ukhrul.
HAC Chairman Dinganglung Dangmei chaired the proceedings. He described the meeting as a meaningful and detailed discussion among committee members.
The chairman also highlighted the importance of collective deliberation and cooperation on matters concerning the hill areas.
HAC Chairman Calls Meeting Productive
Following the sitting, Dangmei said the meeting provided a common platform for discussion among members of the committee.
He described the proceedings as productive and successful. He also pointed to constructive dialogue, mutual understanding and a shared commitment to the interests of the hill areas.
Dangmei thanked the legislators who participated both physically and online. His remarks underlined the importance of keeping the committee functional despite the challenges that have affected political engagement in the state.
However, authorities did not immediately disclose details of any specific resolutions or decisions taken during the meeting.
What Is the Hill Areas Committee?
The Hill Areas Committee is a constitutionally mandated committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. It deals with matters concerning the state’s hill areas and provides a platform for elected representatives from these regions to deliberate on relevant issues.
The committee has particular significance because Manipur’s hill districts are home to several tribal communities, including Naga and Kuki-Zo populations.
Its functioning has therefore remained important in discussions about administration, development and representation in the hill areas.
Meeting Comes Amid Political Challenges
The joint sitting comes after months of political separation involving legislators from different communities. Manipur has faced prolonged challenges since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023.
The conflict has affected communities, displaced residents and disrupted normal political engagement. The participation of legislators from the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities in one HAC meeting therefore represents a notable instance of institutional interaction.
At the same time, the meeting itself does not establish that broader political or community differences have been resolved.
The available reports also do not indicate that the legislators reached a comprehensive agreement on the wider issues facing Manipur. The immediate significance of the meeting lies in the fact that members returned to a shared institutional platform for discussion.
Kuki-Zo MLAs Had Recently Returned to Assembly Proceedings
The HAC meeting follows another notable development earlier this month. On September 2, two Kuki-Zo MLAs physically attended a Manipur Assembly session in Imphal for the first time since the 2023 violence. Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen and Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing attended the proceedings.
Their appearance marked a return to direct participation in Assembly proceedings after a prolonged absence by Kuki-Zo legislators.
The development added to discussions about the gradual return of political engagement in Manipur. The subsequent HAC meeting has now brought representatives from the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities together within another constitutional forum.
Focus on Hill Areas
The latest meeting focused on issues affecting Manipur’s hill areas rather than announcing a broader political settlement.
The HAC provides legislators with an institutional space to discuss matters related to development, administration and the interests of hill communities.
The participation of both Kuki-Zo and Naga members allowed those issues to be discussed collectively. The hybrid format also enabled legislators who were not physically present to take part in the proceedings.
Such meetings can provide an avenue for elected representatives to exchange views even when political circumstances make physical participation difficult.
A Sign of Institutional Engagement
The Manipur HAC meeting represents a fresh instance of Kuki-Zo and Naga legislators engaging through a shared legislative mechanism after a prolonged gap.
The meeting’s outcome will depend on whether subsequent sittings lead to further discussions, proposals or decisions on hill-area issues. For now, the available information confirms the joint participation and discussions but does not establish a wider political breakthrough.
As Manipur continues to navigate complex political and social challenges, the functioning of institutions such as the HAC remains an important part of legislative engagement. The latest sitting has brought legislators from two major hill communities together for discussion, creating another avenue for dialogue within the state’s constitutional framework.