Kuki-Zo Groups Oppose Government Formation in Manipur Amid Ongoing Tensions
Kuki-Zo Community's Stance on Government Formation
On Wednesday, two prominent umbrella organizations representing the Kuki-Zo community declared that their elected representatives should refrain from participating in the formation of a new government in Manipur. They expressed concerns that the incoming administration would neither restore peace nor mend the existing social rifts.
This announcement coincided with Bharatiya Janata Party leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh taking the oath of office as the chief minister of Manipur, effectively concluding nearly a year of President’s Rule.
Alongside Singh, the BJP’s Nemcha Kipgen, a member of the Kuki community, and Losii Dikho from the Naga People’s Front were sworn in as deputy chief ministers.
The Kuki-Zo Council asserted that their community has been forcibly segregated by the Meitei population and is now demanding a separate administration, specifically a Union Territory with its own legislature.
In a resolution passed during a meeting on December 30, the council stated that due to the severe injustices faced by the Kuki-Zo people and the enforced separation by the Meiteis, they cannot support the formation of the Manipur government.
They warned that any Kuki-Zo MLA who chooses to ignore this collective decision would be acting solely on their own accord.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur emphasized that a new government would merely serve as a Meitei-centric political structure, incapable of fostering peace, justice, or reconciliation.
They cautioned that establishing a government at this time would be ill-advised and could exacerbate tensions, pushing the state further into instability.
During a meeting on January 13 in Guwahati, Kuki militant groups and community MLAs reached a consensus to engage in government formation only after securing a political commitment for a Union Territory in Kuki-Zo-majority regions.
On Wednesday, the Kuki Inpi Manipur reiterated that any Kuki-Zo MLA participating in the government must publicly clarify their reasons for joining, given their obligations under the Guwahati Conclave resolution.
They also stated that if such a government is formed, they would be compelled to restrict all political activities of any party in Kuki-Zo areas.
Kipgen's Virtual Oath-Taking
Kipgen takes oath virtually
Kipgen, who became the first deputy chief minister from the Kuki-Zo community, took her oath virtually from Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi, as reported by a Media House.
This decision followed objections from Kuki groups regarding her joining a government led by Singh, a leader from the Meitei community.
In Churachandpur district, security forces reinforced the residences of two Kuki-Zo MLAs, LM Khaute and Ngursanglur Sanate. Although they did not take the oath as ministers, they accompanied Singh to Imphal to assert their claim to form the government.
Manipur had been under President’s Rule since February 2025, following the resignation of BJP leader N Biren Singh as chief minister. The Parliament approved a six-month extension of this rule in August, which was set to conclude this month.
Since ethnic clashes erupted between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities in May 2023, over 260 individuals have lost their lives, and more than 59,000 have been displaced. Violence has sporadically escalated in 2024 and 2025.
Biren Singh resigned amid accusations from Kuki-Zomi-Hmar groups that his handling of the violence was biased and contributed to majoritarian sentiments.