Yaqut Ali 
New Delhi: For the first time since the outbreak of violence in Manipur, representatives of the Kuki-Zo Council met with senior home ministry officials in New Delhi on January 17. The meeting was facilitated by Northeast advisor A.K. Mishra and Intelligence Bureau joint director Rajesh Kamble.
The Kuki-Zo Council, which was formed in October last year in response to the prolonged violence, sent four representatives to the high-level talks.
During the discussions, the home ministry reportedly urged the Kuki-Zo community to agree to a ceasefire in the coming months as a preliminary step toward resolution.
Sources from Churachandpur district, one of the epicentres of the conflict, told The Wire that if the Kuki-Zo Council agrees to the ceasefire proposal, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) may offer concrete measures to address the community’s long-standing demands and grievances.
Top Demands: Separate administration, improved medical facilities, and lasting peace
The violence in Manipur, which erupted on May 3, 2023, between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities, has deeply polarised the state. The Kuki-Zo community has since demanded a separate administration, alleging bias by chief minister Biren Singh, who belongs to the Meitei community.
It has been noted that since the inception of the violence Biren has not visited any of the hill districts, further fuelling resentment. Moreover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yet to visit the state, drawing criticism from the affected communities.
Days after the meeting, on January 22, it was reported that the Manipur chief of a key ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party – in power in both the Union government and Manipur – Janata Dal (United), sent a letter to the state’s governor saying that the party had withdrawn its support to the state government. The JD(U) sacked Ksh Biren Singh,
In the meeting with MHA officials, the Kuki-Zo Council submitted a list of demands, highlighting key issues such as alleged budgetary discrimination by the Manipur government since 2017. The council claims that funds have been disproportionately allocated to benefit the Meitei-dominated regions at the expense of the hill districts.
Although the council had planned to hold a press briefing on January 18 to disclose their demands publicly, the event was unexpectedly cancelled. However, The Wire has accessed a copy of its submission to the MHA, which underscores the urgency of addressing these issues to bring stability to the region.
Also read: Satellite Images Reveal the Devastation of Manipur’s Conflict
Medical facilities
The Kuki-Zo community has voiced grave concerns over the lack of medical facilities in the hill areas of Manipur in the note it submitted to the MHA:
“Basic medical facilities are also a cause for concern. For instance, there is only one hospital serving a population of 1,93,744 in Kangpokpi. Due to the rough terrain and prolonged violence, accessing treatment or education in the valley is not an option. Continued targeted violence against residents of these villages has brought education, medical treatment, and other basic services to a standstill. Traveling to neighboring states to access these services is also unfeasible, as doing so requires long journeys through a valley where the safety and security of hill residents are constantly under threat.”
This issue is not new in Manipur but has been exacerbated since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023. Healthcare services in the hill regions have nearly collapsed, leaving thousands of residents vulnerable. In June 2023, just a month after the violence began, Union home minister Amit Shah acknowledged the dire situation and promised to deploy doctors from the Centre to the hill areas, as residents could no longer travel to the state capital due to safety concerns.
However, community leaders claim that this assurance has gone unfulfilled. No additional medical personnel have been sent, leading to a healthcare crisis. Locals report numerous deaths caused by the lack of medical care and timely treatment.
One recent incident illustrates the severity of the problem. A 45-year-old woman, Heshi Mate, lost her eye due to injuries sustained during conflict and 50 women were reported to have been injured.
Separate administration
In their letter, the Kuki-Zo Council highlighted the ongoing destruction of their homes and lives. They reported that nearly 7,000 homes have been demolished, over 220 Kuki-Zo lives have been lost, more than 360 places of worship have been destroyed, and approximately 40,000 people have been displaced.
The Kuki-Zo also raised concerns about the constant threats posed by militant groups such as Arambai Tenggol and Valley-Based Insurgent Groups (VBIG). They alleged that these groups, armed with weapons smuggled across borders or looted from state armouries, have openly declared their intent to kill or forcibly expel the Kuki-Zo people from their ancestral lands.
Highlighting the breakdown of trust and governance, the Kuki-Zo Council underscored the urgent need for a political solution. They stated that peaceful coexistence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities is no longer viable, given the continued hostility, discrimination, and insecurity. :
“Even the cessation of violence does not inspire any sense of security or comfort for the Kuki-Zo people. Any arrangement with law and order under the control of the State of Manipur would not ensure the safety of the Kuki-Zo people.”
The council also highlighted the plight of displaced individuals, many of whom had been living in Imphal and other valley regions before being rendered homeless.
The letter detailed the administrative collapse in the five districts primarily inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community. Governance and essential services have come to a standstill, with experienced Kuki-Zo officers unable to work due to the lack of a functioning administrative framework. Meanwhile, critical supplies to these districts are being systematically blocked, further isolating the affected communities, it said.
Systematic undermining of autonomy
The Kuki-Zo Council also pointed out the systematic erosion of the protections guaranteed under Article 371C of the Indian constitution. This article, designed to safeguard the cultural and administrative autonomy of hill areas, has been rendered ineffective over time. They outlined three key areas of concern:
- Control of Finances: Despite Article 371C, financial resources and their allocation remain tightly controlled by the state government. This centralised control has left Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) powerless to address the developmental needs of the Kuki-Zo and other marginalised hill communities.
- Delay in ADC Elections: The failure to conduct timely elections for the ADCs undermines the functioning of these councils, leaving hill communities voiceless and without representation.
- Limited Powers of ADCs: Even where ADCs exist, their powers remain severely restricted. The councils lack the autonomy needed to govern effectively or drive local development.
Promises from the MHA
Following the discussions, the MHA reportedly assured the Kuki-Zo Council that tangible solutions would be explored after the community agrees to a ceasefire. The MHA also announced plans to hold a meeting with leaders from the Meitei community in the coming weeks as part of efforts to broker peace.