The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently concluded a two-day round of talks with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF)—the two umbrella bodies representing Kuki-Zo armed groups—to deliberate on their longstanding political and administrative demands. The discussions, held in New Delhi on November 6 and 7, were led by AK Mishra, the MHA’s advisor for northeast affairs, and attended by senior representatives from both organisations.
While the meeting rejected the immediate possibility of creating a new Union Territory (UT)—one of the core demands of the Kuki-Zo groups—it focused extensively on addressing the grievances and concerns of tribal communities in Manipur, which have been at the heart of the state’s ongoing ethnic and political unrest.
The dialogue is part of a continuing peace process initiated after the tripartite agreement signed on September 4, involving the MHA, the Manipur government, and Kuki-Zo representatives. On the first day of discussions, both sides assessed the progress made under the terms of that agreement, particularly regarding governance, rehabilitation, and security mechanisms in tribal areas.
The KNO and UPF stressed that the situation in Kuki-Zo-inhabited districts remains precarious due to the continuing ethnic tensions and the lack of effective local administration. They urged the central government to establish alternative administrative structures to ensure the delivery of basic services and restore law and order.
On the second day, the talks turned political. The Kuki-Zo delegation reiterated its demand for the creation of a Union Territory with a legislative assembly, arguing that peaceful coexistence within the present Manipur state administrative framework had become “impossible” following the May 3, 2023, ethnic violence in Imphal and surrounding areas.
The representatives presented a detailed historical and constitutional rationale for their demand. They noted that the Kuki-Zo Hills were never under the Manipur State Durbar before India’s independence. Instead, under the Government of India Act of 1935, these areas were classified as “Excluded Areas” administered by the British Political Agent, rather than by the Meitei monarchy in the valley.
They further argued that the post-merger integration of Manipur in 1949 led to the erosion of traditional tribal autonomy, forcing the hill regions into a valley-centric administrative setup that overlooked customary land rights and indigenous governance systems.
Importantly, the Kuki-Zo leaders emphasised that their demand for a Union Territory was not secessionist in nature. Rather, they described it as a restoration of pre-Independence autonomy consistent with India’s constitutional framework. They also asserted that their proposal would ensure “peaceful coexistence through separation,” rather than continued friction under the existing structure.
However, MHA officials clarified that the Centre’s current policy does not support the creation of new Union Territories. They maintained that such a decision would require extensive consultations with other ethnic communities, particularly the Meiteis, to avoid deepening social and political divisions in Manipur.
The KNO-UPF delegation countered that “the Constitution is above policy”, insisting that constitutional provisions for protecting tribal rights and autonomy should take precedence over political hesitation. They argued that the situation in Manipur has deteriorated to a point where reconciliation without administrative separation seems increasingly unviable.
The meeting also addressed land and forest rights, an issue that has been a major flashpoint between tribal and valley communities. The Kuki-Zo leaders called for legal safeguards for traditional land ownership, streamlining of registration processes, and removal of bureaucratic restrictions—particularly given that Kuki-Zo residents have been unable to access Imphal since the 2023 violence.
Another critical topic was the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Both sides agreed on the need for confidence-building measures and the establishment of secure and self-sustaining resettlement zones. The MHA assured the Kuki-Zo representatives that it would work with the Manipur government and relevant agencies to accelerate relief distribution and rebuild trust among communities.
By the end of the two-day session, both sides agreed to continue dialogue “in a spirit of cooperation and pragmatism.” The next round of talks is expected to take place in the coming weeks, focusing on administrative reforms, security coordination, and long-term rehabilitation efforts.
Though the Centre has not endorsed the idea of a new Union Territory, the sustained engagement signals a growing recognition in New Delhi that Manipur’s ethnic and administrative crisis requires a calibrated, inclusive, and durable solution that addresses historical grievances while safeguarding national integrity.
