UPF-KNO propose UT with legislative powers
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kpi, July 28 2023:
Amid the demand for abrogation of Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed with Kuki militants, the UPF and KNO put up the demand for Separate Administration with legislative powers during talk with the Government of India at New Delhi.
After several rounds of informal talks in the last two and a half months, two conglomerates Kuki militants namely the United People's Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organization (KNO) resumed formal political dialogue.
The dialogue was chaired by MHA special advisor AK Mishra and participated by delegates of UPF and KNO led by Aaron Kipgen and Dr Seilen Haokip respectively.
During the meeting, both the UPF and KNO leaders reportedly urged the Centre to withdraw the clause for safeguarding the integrity of Manipur in the SoO agreement.
According to UPF convener Aaron Kipgen, UPF and KNO leaders clearly placed to the Centre that they would not be able to represent their people if the clause for safeguarding the integrity of Manipur in SoO agreement is not withdrawn, which the Centre considered and started the dialogue for separate administration.
While discussing the issue of separate administration, UPF and KNO representing the Kuki-Zo people put up the demand for Union Territory with legislative powers under the Constitution of India, Aaron Kipgen informed.
It was the first political dialogue for a separate administration where we discussed the contours or model of the separate administration, Aaron Kipgen said adding that we have conveyed to the Centre that UPF and KNO are representatives of the Kuki-Zo people and their demand is Union Territory with legislative powers where forest and land rights will be inherent rights of the community.
It is a historic moment for the Kuki-Zo people for the age old political aspirations of the Kuki-Zo people finally taken into account, Aaron Kipgen asserted while informing that the next round of talks will be held in the first week of August.