The Kuki-Zo Council is a joint body of Kuki-Zo tribal leaders in Manipur, India. It formed in October 2024 during the ongoing 2023–2026 Manipur violence, amid allegations by Kuki-Zo organisations that the Manipur state government had targeted their community.Manipur: Amid ethnic violence, Kuki Zo Council formed, EastMojo, 11 October 2024. During the previous months, the community was represented by Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) in the Churachandpur district and the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) in the Kangpokpi district.
Background The Kuki-Zo people of Manipur, divided into multiple tribes, were riven by internal divisions since the independence of India. Many of the tribes were not comfortable with the term "Kuki" introduced during the British Raj and sought an alternative label. They were also afraid of domination by the Thadou Kukis, who make up roughly half of the entire community. The Old Kukis separated out during the 1940s and the other tribes, with the exception of Thadou Kukis, formed a Zomi umbrella in the 1990s. The Thadou Kukis stood alone in continuing the use of the "Kuki" label.
Virtually all tribes formed their own armed groups during the 1990s, for the purpose of protecting their own tribal communities. In the course of negotiating a Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Government of India, the armed groups gathered into two umbrella organisations called Kuki National Organisation and United People's Front. They also began to address themselves as "Kuki/Zo people", later changed to "Kuki-Zo people"."Second round of talk with Kuki UGs held at Delhi", Imphal Free Press, 21 October 2016. "KNO and UPF submitted the detailed document entitled, "A case Statement for a Separate State for the Kuki/Zo people" to the government of India"Kuki-Zo people hold rally for separate administration in Churachandpur, The Hindu, 21 July 2023.
With these antecedents, efforts toward a broader reunification of the Kuki-Zo tribes was contemplated. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) was formed on 9 June 2022, with an office based in the Kuki Inpi–Churachandpur complex in Tuibong (northern part of the Churachandpur town). It brought under its umbrella existing tribal organisations such as Kuki Inpi Manipur, Paite Tribe Council, Simte Tribe Council, Vaiphei People's Council, Mizo People's Convention, Hmar Inpui, United Zou Organisation and Gangte Tribe Union (representing the communities of Thadou Kukis, Paites, Simtes, Vaipheis, Mizos, Hmars, Zous and Gangtes respectively).About Us, Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum, retrieved 4 October 2024.
In April 2023, the chief minister N. Biren Singh questioned the "indigenousness" of the organisation.PTI, Fresh clashes in Manipur's Churachandpur as bandh hits normal life; CM Biren Singh defers rally, The Hindu, 29 April 2023. (In his view, the Kuki-Zo tribes were not "indigenous" to Manipur.)
In the course of the 2023–2025 Manipur violence, the term "Kuki-Zo people" gained wider usage, as a more inclusive alternative to "Kuki people".Vijaita Singh, Kuki groups to press for separation from Manipur, equal political status, The Hindu, 21 May 2023.Ronnie Ninan, Manipur Violence: Conflict Watch, WORISGO: World Risk Governance, 25 July 2023. "The socio-political environment in Manipur is currently in a state of turmoil due to escalating tensions between the Kuki-Zo, Naga tribal groups, and the majority Meitei community."Who Gains and Who Loses? A Report From Manipur, The Wire, 16 August 2023. "We visited relief camps in Moirang, Tengnoupal and Kangpokpi. Camps in Moirang had mostly Meitei people and the camps in other two places had displaced people belonging to Kuki-Zo communities." Other alternatives such as "Kuki-Zomi",Harsh Mander, Manipur: A Land of Settled Grief, The Wire, 1 November 2023. "Kuki-Zomi-Hmar"Manipur violence: Kuki-Zomi-Hmar MLAs deny N Biren Sing's claims of being in contact with them, India Today NE, 25 August 2023. and "Kuki-Zomi-Hmar-Paite"Rajkumar Bobichand, Government Failure to Ensure Free Movement Along National Highways, Legitimizes Blockade by Kuki-Zos in Push for Separate Administration, Imphal Review of Arts and Politics, 15 March 2025. were also tried, but "Kuki-Zo" was preferred for its brevity and inclusiveness.
Establishment The formation of the Kuki-Zo Council was announced on 11 October 2024, which was described as a "significant milestone" for the Kuki-Zo community. The Council was composed of representatives from various Kuki-Zo tribes and Inpis (governing councils). The Council members elected five members to lead the Council: Henlianthang Thanglet (Vaiphei) as the president, Ch. Ajang Khongsai as the chief of the Governing Council, Thangzamang Zou as secretary, G. S. Gangte as finance secretary and Khaikhohauh Gangte as information secretary. A press release said that the Council would act as a formal governing body with tribe presidents and Inpi representatives playing active roles in governance and decision-making.Manipur: Kuki Zo Council Formed Amid Ongoing Violence, Ukhrul Times, 12 October 2024.
In December 2024, the Kuki-Zo Council convened a general body meeting attended by more than 100 delegates. It was noted that the Council incorporates representatives from every tribe and Inpi organisation, with each president serving on the governing council.Kaybie Chongloi, Kuki-Zo Council Held Historic First General Body Meeting, Charts Roadmap for Community Advocacy, The Hills Journal, 8 December 2024.
On 17 January 2025, the leaders of Kuki-Zo Council met the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials in their first formal engagement. The Council delegates emphasised the need for early political dialogue.Kuki-Zo Council Leaders Meet MHA Officials, Reiterate Demand for Separate Administration to Achieve Lasting Peace, The Hills Journal, 17 January 2025. The MHA officials reportedly asked for cessation of violence as a pre-requisite. Council delegates stated that any cessation demand should apply equally to Meitei and Kuki-Zo groupsVijaita Singh, End violence before any political talks, MHA tells new Kuki-Zo Council, The Hindu, 17 January 2025. The Council submitted a list of demands to MHA, which included separate administration for Kuki-Zo, improved medical facilities and lasting peace.Yaqut Ali, Kuki-Zo Council Meets MHA: Ceasefire and Demand for Separate Administration on the Table, The Wire, 23 January 2025.
Aims
See also Kuki Inpi Manipur Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity International Meeteis Forum
Notes
References
External links Moushumi Das Gupta, Separate admin demand won't obstruct Centre's normalcy efforts in Manipur: Kuki-Zo Council head, ThePrint, via YouTube, 17 February 2025.