Imphal, Manipur, November 8 (HBTV): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has begun a fresh round of talks with representatives of Kuki-Zo armed groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement — the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF) — over their demand for a Union Territory (UT) with a Legislative Assembly.
The two-day dialogue, held on November 6 and 7, in New Delhi, was led by A.K. Mishra, Advisor (North East) to the MHA, and senior leaders of the two umbrella groups. The discussions focused on political, administrative, and humanitarian concerns of the Kuki-Zo community, particularly in the aftermath of the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur.
According to the groups, the demand for UT status is grounded in historical and constitutional legitimacy, asserting that the Kuki-Zo hills were never under the control of the Manipur State Durbar prior to India’s Independence. They cited British-era classifications under the Government of India Act, 1935, which listed the hill areas as “Excluded Areas” directly administered by the British Political Agent and governed through traditional chiefs.
The KNO and UPF representatives maintained that the post-merger integration of Manipur in 1949 unfairly absorbed the hill regions into a valley-centric governance structure, ignoring tribal autonomy and customary land rights. They argued that creating a separate administrative unit for the hill tribes within India’s constitutional framework would not be an act of secession but a restoration of pre-independence autonomy aimed at achieving lasting peace, equitable governance, and security.
During the meeting, A.K. Mishra reaffirmed the Centre’s sensitivity toward the plight of the Kuki-Zo people but clarified that current national policy does not support the creation of new Union Territories. He emphasised that consultations with all communities in Manipur are essential before any political restructuring can be considered.
The KNO and UPF delegations, however, urged the Centre to reconsider its stance, arguing that “the Constitution is above Government policy” and that the ground situation in Manipur has made coexistence between the two communities impossible.
The talks also covered broader issues, including land and forest rights, customs, and development, alongside confidence-building measures to accompany the ongoing political dialogue. The SoO leaders pressed the MHA to protect traditional tribal land rights, uphold the authority of village chiefs, and remove administrative hurdles related to land registration and succession procedures.
They highlighted the difficulties faced by the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), urging the Government to expedite rehabilitation efforts with essential security and amenities.
The MHA is expected to continue consultations with the SoO groups in the coming weeks as part of efforts to find a constitutional and peaceful resolution to the long-standing issues affecting the hill communities of Manipur.