The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) in Manipur has reiterated its demand for a Separate Administration in the form of a Union Territory with a Legislature, emphasizing that this is crucial for ensuring lasting peace, justice, security, and the protection of the community’s rights and identity. The Council highlighted that the ethnic crisis in Manipur cannot be resolved solely through security measures and urged the government to engage in meaningful political dialogue to address the legitimate aspirations of the Kuki-Zo people. KZC Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet stressed the need for the government to recognize the gravity of the situation and tackle both immediate security concerns and underlying political issues arising from the prolonged ethnic conflict.
The KZC leaders, including Chairman Thanglet, Spokesperson Ginza Vualzong, and Vice Chairmen Len Mate and Yanglet Haokip, expressed concern over the repeated attacks faced by the Kuki-Zo people from members of the Meitei and Naga communities in Manipur over the past three years. They cited instances of killings, looting, burning of homes, desecration of places of worship, and displacement of tens of thousands from their ancestral lands. Despite these challenges, the Kuki-Zo community remains dedicated to pursuing peace, dialogue, and democratic solutions.
The Council urged the Central government to expedite meaningful political dialogue to achieve a just and lasting political settlement that addresses the aspirations of the Kuki-Zo people. KZC Spokesperson Ginza Vualzong highlighted that since March 2026, there have been incidents resulting in the deaths of at least 15 Kuki-Zo civilians and the burning of around 55 houses in 14 Kuki-Zo villages due to the ongoing conflict involving Naga groups in Manipur. The Council emphasized the need for a fair, transparent, and impartial investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for such acts of violence.
