Centre says 'no policy' yet for creating new Union Territory in Manipur as Kuki-Zo groups renew demand

Manipur (Reuters file photo)

The Centre has ruled out the creation of a new Union Territory in Manipur, despite renewed appeals from Kuki-Zo groups, according to reports. In a two-day dialogue held on November 6 and 7 in New Delhi, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) met with representatives of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF) -- the umbrella bodies of Kuki-Zo armed groups -- to deliberate on their political and administrative demands.

Led by the MHA’s northeast advisor AK Mishra, the meeting aimed to address long-standing grievances of the tribal communities, say the reports. While officials made it clear that the government has “no policy” supporting the creation of a new Union Territory, discussions reportedly focused on governance, internal security, and the rehabilitation of displaced persons affected by last year’s ethnic clashes.

On the opening day, attention was given to the implementation of the tripartite agreement signed on September 4 between the MHA, the Manipur government, and Kuki-Zo groups. The following day, KNO and UPF delegates restated their call for a Union Territory with its own legislature, contending that “coexistence under the Manipur state administrative setup is no longer possible” after the violence that erupted on May 3, 2023.

The tribal representatives presented historical and constitutional arguments to justify their demand. They asserted that the Kuki-Zo Hills were “never under the Manipur State Durbar before Independence” and had been marked as “Excluded Areas” under the Government of India Act, 1935—administered by the British Political Agent rather than the Meitei monarchy. According to them, Manipur’s 1949 merger unfairly integrated the hill areas into a valley-dominated system that ignored their traditional autonomy and governance structures.

Clarifying that their demand was “not an act of secession,” the KNO-UPF delegation described it as a plea to restore pre-independence autonomy within India’s constitutional boundaries. However, MHA officials emphasized that any future administrative change must consider “wider consultations with other communities in Manipur.”

The talks also explored issues of tribal land rights, forest management, and the authority of customary chiefs. Kuki-Zo leaders sought urgent steps to safeguard traditional land ownership, ease registration processes, and remove bureaucratic obstacles -- particularly as access to Imphal remains blocked for many tribals.

Both sides agreed to continue confidence-building efforts while maintaining political dialogue. Another round of talks is expected in the coming weeks as part of attempts to find a durable solution to Manipur’s ongoing ethnic and administrative turmoil.