The ITLF protest followed recent attempts to resettle Meitei IDPs in Torbung, which Kuki-Zo groups view as a breach of buffer zone and a threat to the fragile peace enforced by central security forces.
BY PC Bureau
December 22, 2025: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), a prominent Kuki-Zo civil society organisation, organised a sit-in protest on Monday at T-Munjang village in Churachandpur district, close to Torbung village, to oppose what it described as repeated breaches of the buffer zone separating the Imphal Valley from the tribal hill areas of Manipur.
The protest comes amid renewed tensions following the recent resettlement of Meitei Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Torbung, an area that has emerged as a flashpoint since ethnic violence erupted in the state in May 2023. Despite biting cold weather, a large number of Kuki-Zo villagers and community leaders participated in the peaceful dharna, signalling sustained opposition to any resettlement activity in the buffer zone.
Background of tensions
Manipur has remained deeply divided since clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities broke out more than two years ago, leaving over 260 people dead and displacing thousands. To prevent further violence, central security forces have enforced an informal buffer zone between the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo-dominated hill districts.
Torbung village, located in Bishnupur district but bordering Churachandpur, lies within this sensitive zone. Tensions escalated again on December 16–17 when Meitei IDPs attempted to return to the area after more than 30 months of displacement. The move triggered opposition from Kuki-Zo groups, who viewed it as a violation of the buffer arrangement. Reports of gunfire during the resettlement attempt prompted heightened security deployment.
Protest demands
Addressing the gathering, ITLF spokesperson Ginza Vualzong said the attempted resettlement amounted to a “deliberate provocation” that threatened fragile peace in the region. He urged the administration to respect the buffer zone and avoid actions that could inflame tensions.
Vualzong also briefed protesters on the political developments surrounding the Kuki-Zo demand for a Separate Administration, including recent engagements between Kuki-Zo legislators and national-level leaders. Calling for unity, he appealed to the community to remain steadfast in pursuing what he described as a political solution to ensure long-term security and dignity.
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“We cannot afford to lose hope. We must remain united and firm until our political aspirations are addressed,” he said.
Other speakers, including representatives of the Kuki-Zo Council and the Kuki Students’ Organisation, echoed similar sentiments, stressing solidarity and warning against what they termed forced or unilateral resettlement efforts.
Peaceful protest, fragile calm
The sit-in, announced a day earlier, was initially planned closer to Torbung but shifted to T-Munjang for logistical reasons. Reports indicated the protest remained peaceful, with security forces maintaining vigil in the area.
Observers note that the protest underscores the continuing fragility of the situation in Manipur, where mistrust between communities remains deep. While Meitei groups have defended resettlement as a rightful return of displaced families, Kuki-Zo organisations insist that any such move within the buffer zone undermines security and peace.
With sporadic incidents continuing and political dialogue yet to yield consensus, civil society groups and analysts stress that inclusive talks and confidence-building measures are essential to prevent further escalation.
