MHA puts ceasefire precondition to Kuki-Zo Council
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 25 2025: In a recent meeting between the representatives from the Kuki-Zo Council with senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to discuss the ongoing conflict in the state, MHA reportedly assured the Council that tangible solutions would be explored once the community agrees to a ceasefire.

Additionally, the ministry conveyed plans to engage with leaders from the Meetei community in the coming weeks as part of efforts to broker peace and address the long-standing issues between the communities, according to a report published by The Wire.

Representatives of the Kuki-Zo Council held high-level discussions with senior officials of MHA in New Delhi on January 17 .

Facilitated by Northeast advisor AK Mishra and Intelligence Bureau joint director Rajesh Kamble, the meeting aimed to address the prolonged unrest in the state that has deeply divided the Kuki-Zo and Meetei communities.

MHA puts ceasefire precondition to Knki-Zo Council

Formed in October 2024 in response to the escalating crisis, the Kuki-Zo Council sent four representatives to participate in the talks.

The report cited sources from Churachandpur district revealing that the ministry hinted at offering concrete measures to address the Kuki Zo community's long-standing grievances if the council accepts the ceasefire proposal.

The Kuki-Zo Council's demands were centred around three primary issues: a separate administration, improved medical facilities in the hill areas, and the restoration of peace.

The council alleged that the state government, led by chief minister N Biren, has been biased in its governance, with disproportionate allocation of funds favouring Meetei-dominated regions at the expense of hill districts.

According to the council, the CM has not visited the hill districts since the violence began, further alienating the Kuki-Zo community.

Moreover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's lack of a visit to the state has drawn widespread criticism from the affected communities.

The Council further described the collapse of governance in five districts primarily inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community.

Essential services and administrative functions have come to a halt, with experienced Kuki-Zo officers unable to perform their duties due to safety concerns.

Meanwhile, critical supplies to these districts are systematically blocked, leaving the communities isolated and vulnerable, the delegation claimed.

The council also brought attention to the severe healthcare crisis in the hill areas.

Due to the rough terrain and ongoing violence, traveling to the valley for treatment is not an option, and the constant threat of violence has disrupted basic services, including education and healthcare.

The submission cited the union home minister's acknowledgment of the dire healthcare situation in June 2023, when Amit Shah promised to deploy doctors to the hill regions.

However, community leaders claim this promise remains unfulfilled.

Another issue raised by the Kuki-Zo Council was the systematic erosion of protections guaranteed under Article 371C of the Indian Constitution, which is intended to safeguard the cultural and administrative autonomy of hill areas.

The council highlighted three specific areas of concern.

Firstly, financial resources remain tightly controlled by the state government, leaving the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) powerless to address local developmental needs.

Secondly, the delay in conducting elections for the ADCs has undermined their functioning, depriving hill communities of representation.

Finally, even where ADCs exist, their powers are so restricted that they cannot effectively govern or drive local development.

The Kuki-Zo Council reiterated its demand for a separate administration, citing a complete breakdown of trust between the Meetei and Kuki-Zo communities.

The council emphasised that peaceful coexistence is no longer feasible, given the continued violence and discrimination.

It also argued that any law-and-order arrangement under the state of Manipur would fail to ensure the safety of the Kuki-Zo people.

In their submission, the council stressed the urgent need for a political solution to restore stability and rebuild trust and highlighted the plight of displaced individuals, who remain without homes or adequate support, with many struggling to access basic necessities.

Following the discussions, the MHA reportedly assured the Kuki-Zo Council that tangible solutions would be explored after the community agrees to a ceasefire.

The ministry also conveyed plans to engage with leaders from the Meetei community in the coming weeks to further the peace process.

Despite these assurances, the Kuki-Zo Council remains skeptical.

The council had planned to hold a press briefing on January 18 to publicly disclose its demands but cancelled the event without explanation.

More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between the Meetei community and the Kuki-Zo since May 2023.The violence started after a "Tribal Solidarity March" was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meetei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Peace continues to be elusive in the state as the conflict has left the state deeply polarised, with both the Kuki-Zo and Meetei communities suffering immense losses.

For many, the meeting between the Kuki-Zo Council and the MHA marks a tentative step toward reconciliation.

However, the road to peace remains fraught with challenges, and it remains to be seen whether the recent meeting would bring some meaningful actions.