Imphal: The Kuki National Front (KNF), an armed group under Suspension of Operations (SoO) with the Government of India and Manipur, has reaffirmed its demand for a Separate Administration for the Kuki-Zo people in the northeast region.
During the commemoration of the outfit’s 37th Rising Day, the KNF reiterated their stance on the demand for a Separate Administration (SA). In an official statement, the group highlighted the ongoing ethnic and political tensions between the minority Kuki-Zo tribal Christian community and the majority Meitei community, a conflict that has persisted for over 12 months. The KNF, a key player in the Kuki-Zo political negotiations with the Government of India, marked its 37-year struggle for political emancipation from what it describes as the nepotism and tyranny of the majority community.
“The Kuki National Front (KNF) reiterated its stance for Separate Administration in the form of a Union Territory (UT) with legislation for the kindred tribes of all Kuki-Zo communities in the northeastern states of India,” the statement read.
The KNF further mentioned that the Kuki-Zo people were compelled to take up arms in the mid-1990s to defend themselves from the atrocities and aggression of the NSCN (IM), initiating a new era of political movement under the KNF’s leadership. In 2008, the KNF signed a peace accord and Suspension of Operations agreement with the Government of India under a Tripartite Agreement aimed at achieving a lasting political solution for all kindred tribes of Kuki-Zo.
On its 37th Rising Day, the KNF reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and defending its people from any physical aggression or atrocities. The organization emphasized the importance of ‘Buffer Zones’ and urged all stakeholders to respect this deterrence mechanism instituted by the Home Ministry to separate the Kuki-Zo-occupied hills and the Meitei-dominated valley.
The armed group also declared its readiness to respond decisively against any trespassers crossing the buffer zones to attack Kuki-Zo-dominated areas.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
The KNF called upon the Kuki-Zo people to remain steadfast in their prayers, and faith in the Constitution, and the judiciary. They assured that a new government would be formed in June with a new administration, but their demand for a Separate Administration would persist. “Eventually, democracy will triumph over tyranny, and justice will prevail over lawlessness; it is freedom when we can call a place our own,” the KNF stated.
They concluded by asserting that there would be no peace without a political solution for the Kuki-Zo people.
Also Read | Manipur govt criticises ‘The Hindu’ editorial on state conflict