KNO-UPF: Centre, SoO Groups Begin Talks on UT for Kuki-Zo People

📍UNITED PEOPLE'S FRONT (UPF)

&

KUKI NATIONAL ORGANISATION (KNO)

PRESS RELEASE

 

CENTRE, SOO GROUP BEGIN TALKS ON UT FOR KUKI ZO PEOPLE

New Delhi, 8 November 2025

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and representatives of Kuki-Zo armed groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO)—the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front two days talks on 6 and 7 November 2025, focusing on the core demand for a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly. The talks also covered a wide range of issues concerning the tribal people.

The KNO and UPF delegations, currently under the SoO framework, were led by senior leaders of the two umbrella groups; MHA was represented by AK Mishra, long-time Advisor, North East, MHA.

On the first day (6 November), discussions centered around the implementation of September 4 tripartite agreement between the MHA, Government of Manipur, and the SoO group. The SoO group expressed the need for addressing administration and governance in Kuki Zo inhabited districts under the current circumstances.

The second day (November 7) focused on the political demand for UT with Legislature with the KNO and UPF leadership reiterating that 'coexistence under the Manipur state administrative setup is no longer possible', following the violent 'ethnic cleansing' that began in Imphal on 3 May 2023.

Historical justifications were highlighted for the political demand that the Kuki Zo Hills were never under the control of the Manipur State Durbar before Independence. It was also pointed out was that under British rule, the Kuki Zo lands and other tribal areas were classified as 'Excluded Areas' under the Government of India Act, 1935. They were administered directly by the British Political Agent, not by the Meitei king - Kuki Zo governance rested with the traditional chiefs, who exercised complete control over land, justice, and local affairs.

Incompatibility of tribal land tenure system—based on ownership under chiefs—with the valley's state-controlled land model was discussed. When the British unified the administration for convenience, dual governance remained intact, with the valley under the Maharaja's rule and the hills under the British Political Agent. Administratively, politically, and culturally, the tribal people had never been organically part of the Manipur State before 1947.

Given this history, the Kuki-Zo representatives maintained that their demand for Union Territory status with a legislature is rooted in constitutional and historical legitimacy. That post-merger integration of Manipur in 1949 unfairly absorbed the hill regions into a valley-centric governance structure, disregarding tribal autonomy and traditional rights was emphasised. Government compensated only the Meitei king, not the Kuki Zo chiefs. Creating a separate administrative unit for the hill tribes within the constitutional framework of India would not be an act of secession but a restoration of our pre-independence autonomy and a step toward a lasting equitable governance, security, and development within the Indian Union.

During the meeting, AK Mishra reiterated that whilst the Government of India is sensitive to the plight of the Kuki Zo people, the current policy does not support creation of new Union Territories. He also stressed the need for consultations with other communities in Manipur. The KNO/UPF delegation urged the Centre to reconsider its position in view of the fact that the Constitution is above Government policy. The delegation also pointed out that the ground zero situation in the state made coexistence impossible between the two communities, requiring the need to invoke necessary provisions of the Constitution to secure Kuki Zo lives and property.

The talks also covered key community concerns, including issues of land, forests, customs, and development, along with mutual confidence-building measures to be pursued alongside the regular political dialogue.

The SoO leaders urged the MHA to take concrete steps to protect traditional tribal land rights and uphold the authority of chiefs, who traditionally manage land and customary matters in the hill areas. They also urged Government to remove administrative hurdles related to the succession of village chiefs after their demise, and to simplify procedures for land registration and deed processing, which currently require travel to Imphal—an area that has become inaccessible and unsafe for the Kuki-Zo community since the outbreak of ethnic violence.

The severe problems faced by the IDPs was discussed at length in respect to their rehabilitation being expedited with essential security and amenities ensured by Government.

Sd/-
Inf & Pub, KNO/UPF

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