Kuki, Zomi outfits reaffirm UT with Legislature demand in Manipur
Synopsis
Two of Manipur's most influential hill-district outfits — operating under a decades-old ceasefire with New Delhi — have jointly reaffirmed their push for a separate Union Territory with Legislature, boycotted the Chief Minister's proposed visit to Churachandpur, and set up a monitoring cell to counter communal content online. The moves signal that the political fault lines opened by the May 2023 ethnic violence remain firmly entrenched.
Key Takeaways
The Kuki National Organisation and Zomi Reunification Organisation reaffirmed their demand for a Union Territory with Legislature in Manipur, first adopted after 3 May 2023 .
Both outfits resolved to boycott all programmes involving Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh during his proposed visit to Churachandpur .
A Joint Monitoring Cell has been constituted to track communal disharmony allegedly spread via social media, including Facebook .
The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the Zomi Reunification Organisation (ZRO) in Manipur have reiterated that their common political goal — the demand for a Union Territory with Legislature — adopted after 3 May 2023, remains unchanged and will continue until any further collective decision is taken. The reaffirmation came through a joint statement issued following a meeting held at the residence of the ZRO President in Imphal on 12 May 2025.
Who the Organisations Are
The Kuki National Organisation is an umbrella body of several Kuki-Zo insurgent groups currently operating under a Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Government of India. The Zomi Reunification Organisation is a constituent of the United Peoples' Front (UPF), which is also under the same SoO pact. At present, a total of 23 underground outfits — including eight under the UPF and 15 under the KNO — remain under the SoO agreement with the Government of India, a pact that has been in force since August 2008.
Boycott of CM's Proposed Visit
During the meeting, the KNO and ZRO unanimously resolved not to participate in any programme involving Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh during his proposed visit to Churachandpur, the hill district predominantly inhabited by members of the Kuki-Zo community. The decision signals a deepening political estrangement between the hill-district groups and the state government, which is dominated by the valley-based Meitei community.
Joint Monitoring Cell on Communal Disharmony
The two organisations also decided to closely monitor incidents of communal disharmony allegedly being spread through various social media platforms, including Facebook pages. To address the issue, they constituted a Joint Monitoring Cell comprising the Information and Public Relations departments of both organisations. The secretaries of the KNO and ZRO will jointly supervise and coordinate the cell's operations.
Nomenclature and Internal Consultations
A notable point of discussion was the use of the term
Point of View
The Kuki-Zo groups under the SoO framework — which was designed to bring them into a peace process — are now using that legitimacy to press a secessionist-adjacent demand for a separate UT. The boycott of the Chief Minister's visit to Churachandpur is particularly telling: it reflects a near-total breakdown of trust between the hill communities and the valley-dominated state government. The Centre's silence on the UT demand, despite repeated reaffirmations, is itself a political choice — and one that risks hardening positions on both sides.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the demand made by the Kuki National Organisation and Zomi Reunification Organisation?
The two organisations are demanding a Union Territory with Legislature carved out for the Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur. This demand was collectively adopted after the outbreak of ethnic violence on 3 May 2023 and has been reiterated as their common political position.
Why are the Kuki-Zo outfits boycotting Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh's visit?
The KNO and ZRO unanimously resolved not to participate in any programme involving Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh during his proposed visit to Churachandpur. The decision reflects the deep political estrangement between the hill-district Kuki-Zo groups and the valley-dominated state government since the May 2023 ethnic clashes.
What is the Suspension of Operations agreement in Manipur?
The Suspension of Operations (SoO) is a ceasefire pact between the Government of India and underground outfits in Manipur, in force since August 2008. Currently, 23 outfits — 15 under the KNO and 8 under the United Peoples' Front — operate under this agreement.
What is the Joint Monitoring Cell set up by KNO and ZRO?
The Joint Monitoring Cell is a body comprising the Information and Public Relations departments of both the KNO and ZRO, tasked with tracking and addressing communal disharmony allegedly being spread through social media platforms including Facebook. It will be jointly supervised by the secretaries of both organisations.
What is the dispute over the term 'Kuki-Zo' or 'Kuki-Zomi'?
The Zomi side reportedly considers the term 'Kuki-Zo' as a common nomenclature unacceptable, and has suggested using 'Kuki-Zomi' to reflect the broader political movement. The KNO cabinet will first hold internal consultations before the matter is placed before both organisations at their next joint meeting.
