“Whether Biren Singh is CM or not, our demand for separate administration remains the same,” asserts ITLF spokesperson Ginza Vualzong, as the Kuki-Zo community sets clear conditions for peace negotiations.
BY PC Bureau
The resignation of Manipur’s Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh, on February 9, 2025, has elicited a complex array of reactions from the Kuki-Zo community. While some view his departure as a necessary step, many emphasize that it is insufficient without subsequent legal accountability and structural changes.
Social media has been abuzz with comments from Kuki-Zo activists, political leaders, and community members emphasizing that Biren Singh’s resignation, though a significant development, is only a preliminary step toward peace. They assert that those responsible for the violence and destruction that ravaged the state since May 2023 must be held accountable.
ALSO READ: Opinion: Biren Singh leaves behind blood, hate, and a bitter divide
The community’s demands are twofold: the prosecution of Singh for his alleged role in the ethnic violence and the establishment of a separate administrative territory to ensure their safety and rights.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), which has been at the forefront of the Kuki-Zo community’s demands, asserted that Biren Singh’s resignation would not change their stance. “Whether Biren Singh is the Chief Minister or not, our demand for a separate administration remains unchanged. The Meitei people have already divided us, and there’s no turning back,” said ITLF spokesperson Ginza Vualzong.
@NBirenSingh resignation mks no diff in the long run.Our demands r the same – protect indigenous,deport illegals,n equal rights for all.If #Kuki_Zo minais hv a PROBLEM with that…well,then can suck on a straw till kingdom come!#Manipur #ManipurFightsBack #OneManipur
— liftyouverymuchplease (@liftyouverymuch) February 9, 2025
The resignation of Biren Singh, while significant, is perceived by many in the Kuki-Zo community as merely the first step in a longer journey toward justice and self-determination. A tweet from @Siamixsiami reflects this cautious optimism and bitterness on Biren Singh’s resignation:
“It won’t bring back the hundreds who have died and it certainly won’t heal any wounds. Let this man and his supporters rot in jail. He won’t go without taking a few with him that’s for sure.”
Advocate Viswajeet Singh, a prominent legal voice for the Kuki-Zo community, has strongly asserted that N. Biren Singh must face prosecution for the atrocities committed under his administration.
“Resignation is not a shield from accountability,” Singh said on SpaceX discussion. “Biren Singh should be prosecuted for the crimes his government committed against the Kuki-Zo communities, for the bloodbath that took place under his nose.”
He went on to caution the community about the potential pitfalls in the peace process, urging vigilance. “The Kuki-Zo community must ensure that negotiations are not hijacked by individuals or groups who come under the influence of the central government. We need authentic representation that genuinely reflects the aspirations and grievances of our people,” Singh emphasized.
The Kuki MLA by virtue of being a same party with Biren singh under BJP … it is morally incorrect to negotiate on behalf of Kuki people..
What ever the fate of Manipur.. government of India government should work out some formula so that full state machinery should not misused…— Astor Kukizo(KUKI KA PARIVAR) (@Khulkonns_3382) February 9, 2025
In the three-hour late night discussion hosted by Kim Haokip speakers were unanimous that peace should precede justice and Biren Singh should not get scot-free if the Centre wanted to make a meaningful start in Manipur.
The Kuki-Zo community has always been vocal about their grievances against Singh, accusing him of exacerbating tensions and being complicit in the violence that has plagued Manipur since May 2023. A tweet from Voice Of The Hills encapsulates this sentiment:
“His administration fueled ethnic violence, rejected Kuki-Zo self-governance, and used state power to erase our rights. His resignation is just a start.”
This perspective is also echoed by William Haokip, who asserts:
“Manipur Demand justice for Kuki-Zo community Biren Singh must be investigated and prosecuted! His taped admissions reveal a dangerous plot. GoI must act…”
@benjqminmate1 echoed similar sentiments in his post on X: Resignation is not enough. We will continue to demand justice for the innocents you have killed and thousands you have rendered homeless.
A prominent Kuki activist tweeted:
“Resignation is not justice. The blood of our people cries for accountability. Those who fueled the violence must face the law. Only then can peace talks be meaningful.”
Another user emphasized:
“Before peace, there must be justice. Prosecute the masterminds of violence, including Biren Singh, or any talks are meaningless. #JusticeFirst #KukiZoDemands”
These calls for legal action are rooted in allegations that Singh not only failed to prevent the violence but may have actively contributed to it. The community points to leaked audio tapes and public statements as evidence of his involvement.
For instance, @ThangHaoki97651 says in a post on X: #NBirenSingh resign will not be solution his audio tape should be the evidence for the #Kuki people to get justice after all our sister got raped brother got butchered.
Such interactions have intensified the community’s demand for accountability, with many insisting that resignation without prosecution is inadequate.
Advocacy for a Separate Territory
Beyond seeking justice for past atrocities, the Kuki-Zo community is advocating for a separate administrative territory as a means to ensure their future safety and autonomy. The prolonged violence has eroded trust in the current state administration’s ability to protect their rights.
This sentiment is further reinforced by @paolienlal who states: National security will be served with union territory for nationalists Kuki Zo people, not with appeasement of secessionists communities.
A tweet from handle @Kipskuki states it more forcefully:
We will not rest till #unionterritory is granted. The pains and loss we suffered and the bleak future we have in the erstwhile Manipur call for justice in the form of union territory and nothing less.
The push for a separate territory is not a new development. In May 2023, following intense ethnic clashes, all 10 Kuki MLAs, including eight from the Bharatiya Janata Party, issued a statement demanding the creation of a separate administrative body under the Indian constitution. They argued that living under a Meitei-majority administration after the violence would be “as good as death” for their community.
The community’s insistence on both legal accountability and administrative autonomy underscores the depth of their grievances and their determination to secure a safer future. As Manipur moves forward, addressing these demands will be crucial in fostering genuine reconciliation and lasting peace.
In conclusion, the Kuki-Zo community’s response to N. Biren Singh’s resignation is characterized by a blend of cautious approval and steadfast demands for justice and autonomy. Their voices, amplified through social media platforms like Twitter, convey a clear message: resignation is only the beginning, and true resolution requires both accountability for past actions and structural changes to ensure their rights and safety in the future.
