PRESS COMMUNIQUÉ
November 21, 2025
The Zomi groups of UPF are compelled by the emerging circumstances and responded to the recent aggressive media campaign against the Zomi in general and the Zomi groups of UPF (ZRA, ZDV, and ZRF) in particular as we strive for a peaceful political solution. Most of the allegations levelled against us through national and international media houses and various social media platforms are unfounded, twisted statements and ill-intended to undermine the Zomi and derail the peace process.
Our Journey for a Peaceful Political Solution:
Our journey towards a peaceful political solution was initiated when the ZRO/ZRA established the groundwork for the current Suspension of Operations (SoO) in Manipur by responding positively to the Indian Army’s proposal to abandon armed insurgency. Subsequently, a peaceful process for a political solution was adopted. Notably, for the first time in Manipur’s history, the ZRA signed the SoO agreement with the Government of India, represented by the Ministry of Defence, on 1st August 2005 in New Delhi.
In adherence to an inclusive and non-communal policy, the ZRO/ZRA assumed a proactive role in inviting other armed groups within the Zo kindred tribes. Consequently, the UPF (a non-communal name) was established in Aizawl on August 12, 2006 under the leadership of Pu Thanglianpau Poudel, ZRO.
Subsequently, the UPF and KNO/KNA, respectively, signed Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreements with the Government of India on October 8, 2006, and a Tripartite SoO on August 22, 2008, in New Delhi.
Since its inception, the three primary principles of the United People’s Front (UPF) have been non-communal approach, issue-based strategies, and inclusive policies. Regrettably, the Kuki groups under KNO have exploited internal discord within Zomi CSOs, which was orchestrated by Calvin H. (ex-Vice President ZRO) on November 10, 2018, thereby dethroning the UPF interim leadership.
UPF is deeply concerned about the ongoing name dispute and the identity issue, as such deliberate and aggressive manipulation affects the unity of our people. The Zomi CSOs consistently persisted in promoting their collective political struggles.
On the Issue of Identity:
Identity and collective rights should reflect the aspirations of our people without the tendencies of others (Kuki/Lushai/Chin) for convenience and at the cost of the Zomi (also known as Zomi people). The term ‘Kuki’ has become a recently coined blanket term, used by certain groups to subsume our culture, traditions, and identity for convenience’s sake.
Numerous oral and written histories highlight the collective identity of the Zomi people, widely tolerated by various scholars. ‘Mizo’ and ‘Zomi’ are interchangeable, except for their contexts. The term ‘Kuki-Zo’ does not represent our identity; it is a recent term created for convenience by KNO and Kuki groups of UPF only. In fact, within the purview of SoO, ‘Kuki-Zomi-Hmar’ is used to refer to SoO groups.
On the matter of identity, the Joint Meeting of UPF and KNO at VTE Rengkai on 29th June, 2018, unanimously decided against enforcing identity labels upon each other (a reaffirmation of the 1998 Kuki-Zomi Peace Accord).
However, the Joint Drafting team’s proposal couldn’t be pursued as the Kuki groups of the UPF and KNO took a dogmatic and narrow stand by insisting on the Kuki land TC meeting on July 10, 2018, at Kangpokpi. Post the May 3, 2023, state-sponsored pogrom, the people’s movement for Separate Administration has been consistently hampered on the identity issue.
The Core Committee on Separate Administration, the Joint Innpi, the Zo United, the Joint Student Body, etc., couldn’t function effectively. The Zo United (ZU) was formed by meeting Joint Zo CSOs, MLA’s and SoO groups on September 20, 2023 at Aizawl with the blessings of CYMA. Talks of ZU were to streamline relief and spearhead public movements for separate administration.
The Joint Meeting of SoO groups, and MLAs at Guwahati on July 17, 2024, mandated Zo United (ZU) as the apex CSO for political and social issues; however, in the same month, Kuki groups withdrew on communal grounds and formed KZC to espouse Kuki’s identity. So KZC is not a consensus platform.
In such an unfortunate situation, the Zomi groups of UPF believe that the naming issue should not hinder the peace process, and the best model for us is the creation of Meghalaya state, where Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo communities coexist and thrive together.
On our Political Demands:
While the KNO demanded Kuki statehood, the then UPF adopted a pragmatic approach and submitted the Autonomous Hill State (AHS) under Art. 244(A) of the Constitution. The proposal was within the ambit of the SoO ground rules, constitutionally valid, and a fundamental requirement for peace and political development of our people.
When political discussions began in 2017, the government of India proposed the Autonomous Territorial Council (ATC) based on the 6th Schedule. Our leaders and civil society rejected ATC for lacking legislative power and economic viability. Despite the suffering of the Zomi people post 3rd May 2023, our stand remains firm.
We appeal to leaders, scholars, and researchers to be sensible and realistic in interpreting historical facts, oral traditions, and identity. Identity should not be imposed. It must be organic.
Important Standpoints:
i) UPF has not had an official spokesperson since 2018. The Zomi groups of UPF is not a monolithic group of UPF (which becomes KUKI UPF). In this regard, comments by certain individuals in the Constitution without consensus are not official.
ii) The Zomi Council (conglomerate of eight tribes) and its frontal organisations are our civil societies. The ZRO/ZRA and Zomi CSOs do not recognise Kuki-Zo as our identity, nor do we support them as our official body.
iii) While addressing the SoO groups, the Zomi groups of UPF should be referred to as Zomi SoO Groups or Zomi Groups of UPF. The term "Kuki-Zomi-Hmar" should be used when addressing SoO groups.
iv) Despite persistent efforts to undermine the Zomi in the pre and post May 3, 2023 pogrom, we remain steadfast in our struggle for political survival.
v) We will continue to promote non-communal and inclusive approaches.
vi) Any solution that does not recognise Zomi identity, history, culture, and land is unacceptable.
vii) Despite differences, Zomi groups will continue collaborating with the 26 kindred tribes in a spirit of mutual respect.
viii) We acknowledge the efforts of Zomi worldwide and the prayers of Zomi prayer warriors.
Truth and Freedom
(signed)
C.T. PAITE
Info & Publicity
Zomi group of UPF
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
