Unraveling the Knot: The Issue of Separate Administration for Kuki-Zo, Zomi and Hmar in Manipur

T Michael Lamjathang Haokip *

Introduction:

The issue of demanding and creating a Separate Administration (SA) or Union Territory (UT) for the Kuki-Zo, Zomi and Hmar people of Manipur is deeply tied to the ongoing insurgency and the complex ethnic dynamics in the state. For a better understanding, allow me to discuss three questions.

1. Is SA/UT equivalent to breaking away from Manipur?

Ans: Yes, creating a Separate Administration (SA) or Union Territory (UT) for these communities would be akin to breaking away from the state of Manipur. This demand, which is part of an insurgency movement, calls for the creation of a separate administrative entity for these ethnic groups.

However, it's crucial to note that the Kuki-Zo, Zomi and Hmar Insurgent groups under the SoO (Suspension of Operations) Agreement with the Government of India (GoI) and the Government of Manipur (GoM) have explicitly agreed to respect the territorial integrity of Manipur. Thus, these groups' demands do not include a complete separation from Manipur.

2. Is the SA/UT solution part of solving the insurgency issue in Manipur?

Ans: No, while the creation of a Separate Administration or Union Territory may seem like a solution for addressing the grievances of Kuki-Zo, Zomi and Hmar groups, it is unlikely to be a long-term inclusive solution for solving insurgency in Manipur.

The insurgency problem is multi-faceted, involving different ethnic and insurgent groups, including the NSCN-IM (Naga), ZUF (Zeliangrong), and UNLF (Meitei), which are also presently in negotiations with the centre government and have overlapping areas of influence with each other groups.

Therefore, focusing only on the Kuki-Zo, Zomi and Hmar insurgent groups (UPF & KNO) would never resolve the Manipur insurgency issue, as the underlying ethnic and territorial tensions involve other groups as well.

3. Is SA/UT feasible in the current context of communal conflict?

Ans: No, creating a Separate Administration or Union Territory for the Kuki, Zomi, and Hmar in the current communal conflict of Manipur Violence is not feasible. The competing demands of various ethnic communities (Kuki-Zo, Zomi, Hmar, Naga, Meitei & Zeliangrong) make it extremely difficult for any competent authority both the central and state governments to endorse such a drastic move.

These groups have conflicting territorial boundaries, and any attempt to carve out separate entities would likely exacerbate the tensions rather than resolve them. The idea of bifurcating or trifurcating Manipur is unlikely to lead to peace and stability in the state given the current level of communal discord.

Conclusion:

While the demand for a Separate Administration or Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo, Zomi, and Hmar people is tied to the state's insurgency issues, it is not a straightforward or feasible solution, especially considering the broader and more complex ethnic conflicts in Manipur.


Views expressed are personal.