While the Government is talking of restoring peace and normalcy and the MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies are grouping either with former Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren or without him to form a new popular government in Manipur, the joint meeting of MLAs, leaders of Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) and Zomi Council (ZC) and leaders of Kuki militant groups under Suspension of Operation (SOO) agreement held on May 16, 2025 at Guwahati has decided that they shall no longer engage with the Government of India (GOI) or its representatives until the resumption of “substantive political dialogue” by the GOI with SOO groups.
The group after the meeting in a statement issued on May 16, 2025 stated, “The joint meeting of the MLAs, CSOs and SOO groups at Guwahati resolved that until the resumption of substantive political dialogue by the Government of lndia with SOO groups, the CSÖs and elected representatives shall no longer engage with the Government of India or its representatives.”
In other words, the decision of the joint meeting implies that the Kuki-Zo-Hmar-Paite organisations would not take part in further dialogue with the government till resumption of “substantive political dialogue” with the Kuki militant groups who are popularly known as SOO groups.
Notably, the Suspension of Operations (SOO) agreement between the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF); Government of India (GOI) and Government of Manipur (GOM) lapsed since February 29, 2024. Moreover, Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren’s Government withdrew from the tripartite SOO agreement on March 10, 2023, with two militant groups – the Kuki National Army (KNA) and the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) of the 25 militant groups under KNO and UPF – alleging their involvement in inciting agitation among illegal forest encroachers.
In what a significant move, the Guwahati joint meeting decided that SOO groups would take lead in future talks to end the ongoing violent conflict.
A report quoting a Kuki leader who attended the meeting said, “We will soon officially inform the Centre that from now on, the SOO groups will represent the Kuki-Zo communities in the talks.”
So far, the KZC and ZC have taken lead in the talks including in the one in New Delhi on April 5, 2025 when the organisations representing the Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Zomi and the Meitei communities met for the first time since the eruption of the violent conflict on May 3, 2023.
The significant decisions were decided in a meeting attended by leaders of SOO groups, Kuki-Zo-Hmar-Paite MLAs, the Kuki Zo Council (KZC), an apex body of the civil society organisations of the Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities and Zomi Council (ZC) representing Paite and its kindred tribes. Though the venue of the meeting was not disclosed, sources said that it was held at the Assam Agriculture University guest house in Guwahati, lasted for nearly six hours. Six out of the 10 MLAs of the Kuki-Zo-Hmar-Paite communities attended the crucial joint meeting of the leaders of KZC, ZC, MLAs and SOO groups, a report added.
It is said that the Kuki-Zo Council delegation includes Henlianthang Thanglet, Chairman; Thangzamang, Secretary (Organisation); Thanglen Mate, Joint Secretary; Rev. G.S. Gangte, Treasurer; Richard Hmar, Finance Secretary; Ch. Ajang Khongsai, Coordinator, Governing Council; Ginza Vualzong, Spokesperson; and members Letsei Mate and Paotin.
From the Zomi Council, Vumsuan Naulak, Chairman; Lianzalal, Vice Chairman; Pauneihlal, General Secretary; and Anthony Lianboi, Finance Secretary attended the meeting, according to a report.
Regarding the formation of a new popular government in Manipur which has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025 after Nongthombam Biren resigned from the post of Chief Minister on February 9, 2025, the joint meeting also decided to place some conditions if the BJP or the Centre requests the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs to join the new government in Manipur. However, details of conditions are not disclosed yet. The stand is significant given reports about initiative by some BJP MLAs to form a new government. At least 21 MLAs wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah recently seeking formation of a new government as no steps have been taken under the President’s Rule to end the violent conflict.
Moreover, BJP Northeast in-Charge Sambit Patra visited Manipur on May 5 and 6 and met MLAs belonging to Kuki-Zo-Hmar-Paite communities and leaders of the KZC, ZC, Zomi Students’ Federation (ZSF) and Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. Sambit Patra also met former Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren, Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata in their respective homes in Imphal and some BJP MLAs in a hotel in the State capital.
Further, the decision not to engage with the Government may also be interpreted that the joint meeting has resolved to suspend engagement with the Government of India and its representatives until “substantive political dialogue” resumes regarding their demands of Separate Administration under Article 239A of the Constitution of India, akin to the Union Territory of Pondicherry.
Earlier, the Kuki-Zo Council’s Governing Council has decided in its first Governing Council meeting at READS Auditorium, Rengkai, Churachandpur, on May 13, a day after a crucial Key Leaders’ Consultation and Interaction program with the UPF and KNO leaders in Kangpokpi on May 12, to present its collective position on the formation of a popular government in the Guwahati meeting of May 16 with Kuki-Zo-Hmar-Paite MLAs and SOO groups.
The KZC’s first Governing Council meet on May 13, 2025 reaffirmed its political aspiration for a separate administration under Article 239A of the Indian Constitution – akin to the Union Territory model of Pondicherry.
The first Governing Council session marked a decisive moment in consolidating political unity and charting a roadmap for self-administration and five key resolutions were passed during the meeting:
- Cabinet Expansion – The Council approved the addition of four Vice-Chairpersons, four Joint Secretaries, and four Assistant Secretaries to its cabinet, as recommended by the Chairman.
- Budget Framework – A resolution was adopted to draft a comprehensive budget and ensure equitable financial contribution from all constituent bodies.
- The Council reaffirmed its political demand for the creation of a separate administrative entity in the form of a Union Territory, akin to Puducherry, under Article 239A of the Indian Constitution.
- Reaffirmation of Guiding Principles – The Council confirmed its foundational principles without amendment following a thorough review.
- Popular Government Deliberation – The Governing Council agreed to formally convey and deliberate its unified stance on the formation of a popular government in Manipur during the Guwahati dialogue with MLAs and SoO groups.
A report said, in a stirring address, Kuki-Zo Council Chairman Henlianthang called for unwavering unity in the face of divisive external forces. “Despite our internal differences, the Kuki-Zo people have stood resilient. The Council will steadfastly pursue the political aspiration of a separate administration under Article 239A,” he affirmed.
Prior to the first Governing Council meeting of KZC, a consultation of Kuki-Zo leaders was held on May 12, 2025 at Kangpokpi and highlighted that “this is not just a meeting – it is a message to Delhi that the Kuki-Zo struggle is far from over.”
On May 12, 2025, the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) convened a high-level Leaders’ Consultation and Interaction Programme with the United People’s Front (UPF), the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), and representatives from various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), renewing its call for urgent political resolution.
The consultation was held under the theme: “Deliberate on the Status of Political Negotiations and Way Forward for Separate Administration, Key Social Concerns and Cohesion, Inclusive Strategies for Kuki-Zo (Way-Forward).”
The meeting, held at LNC Hotel, Kangpokpi District Headquarters, aimed to foster dialogue and unity within the Kuki-Zo community. It served as a vital platform for deliberation, bringing together prominent leaders and community stakeholders – including village chiefs, Kuki Inpi leaders, and representatives of various tribe organisations in the district, student bodies, women’s groups, youth leaders, and others – to discuss pressing issues which are affecting the Kuki-Zo people, a report added.
Chief among the agenda items were the ongoing stalled political negotiations with the Centre and charting a course for a Separate Administration for the Kuki-Zo. In addition, the consultation addressed key social concerns, community cohesion, and the formulation of inclusive strategies for the way forward.
According to a report, following the keynote address by CoTU Chairman Thanglen Kipgen, Kuki National Organization (KNO) Spokesperson Dr. Seilen Haokip and United People’s Front (UPF) Spokesperson Aaron Kipgen addressed key issues surrounding the ongoing conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. They spoke on the root causes of the conflict, the policies of the Government of Manipur with regard to political dialogue, the urgent need for the resettlement of Kuki-Zo villages destroyed during the conflict, and the immediate resolution of the Kuki-Zo political demand – specifically, the creation of a Union Territory with Legislature as modelled under Article 239-A of the Constitution of India.
Obviously, though the statement of the joint meeting said diplomatically “substantive political dialogue”, it is obvious from the given context that the “substantive political dialogue” is none other than the dialogue about “Separate Administration” – akin to Pondicherry Union Territory under Article 239A of the Constitution of India.
For this, the Guwahati joint meeting of the leaders of KZC, ZC, MLAs belonging to Kuki-Zo-Hmar-Paite-Zomi communities and leaders of KNO and UPF under SOO has entrusted the SOO groups to negotiate with the Government for their political goal and future of the Kuki-Zomi, and to put pressure on the Government, the joint meeting has resolved that until the resumption of “substantive political dialogue” by the Government of lndia with SOO groups, the CSÖs and elected representatives shall no longer engage with the Government of India or its representatives.
Senior Editor: Imphal Review of Arts and Politics
