Overview
- Leaders of the Kuki National Organisation and United People’s Front reiterated a Union Territory with a legislature for the Kuki-Zo hills in meetings with MHA adviser A. K. Mishra on November 6–7.
- The KNO and UPF, which together represent about 25 armed outfits under a 2008 Suspension of Operations pact, pressed the case as a constitutional solution within India.
- The groups cited British-era ‘Excluded Areas’ status, claims that the hills were outside the Manipur State Durbar before 1947, and grievances over the 1949 merger and compensation only to the Meitei king.
- They argued that co-existence under the present state administration became untenable after violence that began on May 3, 2023.
- Mishra conveyed that consultations with other Manipur communities are required, and discussions also reviewed implementation of a September 4 tripartite agreement on camp relocations, highway movement, and enforcement of ground rules.