Kuki-Zo delegation demands separate administration

New Delhi

On Friday, a four-member delegation representing the Kuki-Zo people in Manipur presented their demands to the Centre, calling for a separate administration for their community and the initiation of political talks to resolve their issues. The delegation, led by Henlianthang Thanglet, Chairman of the Kuki-Zo Council, met with a two-member team from the Centre, including interlocutor A K Mishra.

“We have demanded a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo people and the start of a political dialogue,” said Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson for the Kuki-Zo Council. The community has been advocating for a Union Territory with a legislature under Article 239(A) of the Constitution, specifically for the hill areas of Manipur.

To prevent further clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, the council is also pushing for strict adherence to the buffer zone by the Meitei community.

This meeting follows a recent discussion between the Kuki-Zo Council and the newly-appointed Manipur Governor, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, where they sought peaceful solutions to the ethnic conflict in the state. Bhalla has urged cooperation to restore peace.

The demand for a separate administration has faced opposition from Meitei organizations, which also call for the abrogation of agreements with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups. The ongoing ethnic violence since May 2023 has left over 260 dead and thousands displaced.