New Delhi:
In a significant step towards addressing the lingering ethnic tensions in Manipur, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) held its first formal meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on January 17, 2025. The meeting, conducted at Delhi’s Ashoka Hotel, marked a crucial milestone in the efforts to resolve the ongoing conflicts between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities.
Led by Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet, the KZC delegation included key members such as Coordinator Ch Ajang Khongsai, Spokesperson Ginza Vualzong, and Finance Secretary Richard Hmar. The KZC leaders reiterated their demand for a separate administrative region specifically for the Kuki-Zo people in Manipur, emphasizing the need for urgent political dialogue to address the ethnic issues plaguing the state.
Main Body Section
The MHA initiated this dialogue with the KZC, a move that signals a new era of engagement between the central government and the Kuki-Zo community. AK Mishra, interlocutor, and Rajesh Kamble, Joint Director of the Intelligence Bureau in the northeast, represented the MHA during the meeting.
At the forefront of the KZC’s demands was the creation of a separate administration, which they believe is essential for ensuring lasting peace in the region. The KZC delegation stressed that this administrative setup, envisioned as a Union Territory with a legislature under Article 239(A) of the Indian Constitution, would be the most effective way to address the political and security challenges faced by the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur’s hill areas.
The meeting highlighted the critical need for peace, with MHA officials emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace before seeking a permanent solution. However, the KZC leaders countered that the creation of a separate administration was indispensable for achieving this peace, and they urged the government to take immediate action to stop the violence, particularly by restraining the Meitei community from attacking Kuki-Zo villages.
To prevent further confrontations, the KZC also sought strict adherence to the buffer zones by the Meitei community. This demand is part of a broader strategy to reduce tensions and create a conducive environment for dialogue.
The KZC’s engagement with the MHA follows a recent meeting with newly-appointed Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Churachandpur, where they sought his assistance in restoring peace and resolving the community’s issues. Governor Bhalla assured the delegation of his support in maintaining peace and finding a viable solution.
In October 2024, the central government had attempted to bring both communities to the negotiation table by inviting MLAs from both the Kuki and Meitei communities to Delhi for a joint discussion. However, the Kuki-Zo MLAs refused to meet with their Meitei counterparts, leading to separate meetings with the Centre’s representatives.
The Meitei community has been vocal in its opposition to the Kuki-Zo demand for a separate administration and has also called for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreements with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups. The ongoing ethnic violence, which began in May 2023, has resulted in over 260 deaths and the displacement of thousands of people.
Trending
- Inside PM Modi-Trump Meet: 5th Gen Jets, 26/11 Extradition, ‘Mission 500’
- PM Modi, Trump’s Big Nuclear Push To Get More Atomic Reactors To India
- India to Acquire F-35 Stealth Fighters in Landmark US Deal
- ‘Never Forget Their Sacrifice’: PM Modi, Leaders Remember ‘Courageous Heroes’ Of 2019 Pulwama Attack
- No Free Streaming Of IPL Matches From 2025, New Subscription Model To Be Introduced: Report
- ICC Announces Mind-Boggling Prize Money For Champions Trophy.
- Don Bosco Oratory Fatorda Dominates USC Seraulim to Reach Finals
- GIM’s ‘NEXUS 2025’ to Spotlight Top Marketing Trends, Innovators, Emerging Talent And Women Leaders