"Never under same roof": Kuki-Zo MLAs urge PM Modi to consider separate UT for tribals

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Kuki-Zo tribal MLAs submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, appealing for an expedited political settlement in Manipur.

The MLAs, including seven BJP MLAs, reiterated their demand for a separate Union Territory with a legislature during Modi’s first-ever visit to the northeastern state since the ethnic violence broke out in 2023.

In the memorandum, the Kuki leaders expressed hope that PM Modi’s visit would mark a “historic shift" in the political trajectory of the Kuki-Zo people.

Joint Memorandum dated 13th September 2025 addressed to Shri Narendra Modi, the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India.

The memorandum is about an "Appeal for early political settlement" and is signed by 9 MLAs from Manipur. The MLAs welcome the Prime Minister to his first-ever visit… pic.twitter.com/zCcQJrQJgx

— Mighty Warrior Kuki (@Kamginthan40473) September 13, 2025

The MLAs also detailed the suffering endured by their community over the past years of ethnic unrest in the state, alleging Kuki-Zo community members have been “totally cleansed from the valley areas."

“You are fully aware of how our people have been totally cleansed from the valley areas of Manipur, shamed, assaulted, raped, and ravaged, physically as well as mentally,” the memorandum, signed by 10 Kuki MLAs, stated.

The MLAs accused the state of complicity in what they described as “unprecedented ethnic persecution" at the hands of the majority Meitei community.

“It is an unprecedented ethnic persecution, with state complicity, by the majority community on our minority community."

“We can now live in peace only as good neighbours, never under the same roof again," the Kuki leaders said, effectively rejecting any reconciliation within the present state framework.

The MLAs urged the PM to expedite dialogue on their long-standing demand for a separate Union Territory with its own legislature.

“We therefore place the anguish and aspiration of our people before you and strongly urge you to expedite the dialogue to address our demand for a separate Union Territory with Legislature. This alone, we believe, will bring lasting peace and sense of security, justice and belonging to our people," the memorandum read.

The appeal concluded with the statement, “In God and you we trust," placing responsibility on the Prime Minister to address their grievances.