The Ministry of Home Affairs will meet with AMUCO, FOCS, and COCOMI on June 30, followed by talks with KNO and UPF leaders on July 4 in Delhi, in a critical bid to restore peace in Manipur.
BY PC Bureau
In a renewed effort to address the protracted ethnic conflict in Manipur, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is set to hold two crucial rounds of dialogue next week—one with Meitei civil society organisations (CSOs) and another with Kuki-Zo armed groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.
On June 30, the MHA will meet with prominent Meitei CSOs, including the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), and the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO). This will mark the third round of talks with valley-based groups, following earlier meetings on April 5 and May 27.
A seven-member delegation from AMUCO, led by its president Nando Luwang, has confirmed participation in the June 30 meeting. COCOMI and FOCS are also set to attend the meet. COCOMI Convenor Khuraijam Athouba confirmed this to Power Corridors. Notably, AMUCO had skipped the May 27 round, which was attended only by COCOMI and FOCS and ended inconclusively.
READ: Water in Diesel Tanks Halts 19 Vehicles in MP CM’s Convoy
Separately, the MHA has scheduled another round of talks with Kuki-Zo SoO groups for July 4 in New Delhi. This follows a prior meeting on June 16, the second formal engagement between the Centre and representatives of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF).
Key Issues: Camp Relocation, Security, and Changing Ground Rules
A key agenda for the upcoming SoO talks is the proposed relocation and consolidation of designated camps to improve logistics and supervision. At present, 15 camps—seven under KNO and eight under UPF—are located across Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal districts.
Kuki-Zo, MHA Cover More Ground in Round Two of Peace Talks#KukiZoTalks #ManipurCrisis #PeaceDialogue #SoOAgreement #TribalRights #UnionTerritoryDemand https://t.co/sMijffpPHu
— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) June 16, 2025
While MHA officials, led by A.K. Mishra, are pressing for efficiency, Kuki-Zo leaders insist that any relocation must not compromise the safety of nearby tribal populations. “Camps cannot be shifted arbitrarily. Our people’s safety is non-negotiable,” a Kuki-Zo leader said.
Nonetheless, sources indicate that SoO leaders have agreed to scale down the number of camps by four—two each from KNO and UPF—as a gesture of cooperation.
A Shift in Demands: From Territorial Council to Union Territory
Signed in 2008, the SoO pact originally aimed to bring Kuki-Zo armed groups into the state’s political fold, with demands centered on creating a territorial council within Manipur. However, the ethnic violence that broke out on May 3, 2023, has drastically altered the political climate.
READ: Centre set to trash Congress Demand for Manipur Election
With hundreds dead and thousands displaced, the Kuki-Zo leadership now demands Union Territory status for their regions. “The situation has changed irrevocably. Our demand now reflects our suffering and the need for long-term security,” said a senior SoO representative.
Talks with Meitei CSOs: Current Status and Stakes
The Centre’s dialogue with Meitei CSOs began on April 5, with both Meitei and Kuki-Zo delegations participating. The Meitei side was represented by AMUCO and FOCS, while the Kuki-Zo delegation included members of the Kuki-Zo Council, Kuki Inpi Manipur, Zomi Council, United Zou Organisation, and Hmar Inpi.
The second round on May 27 saw participation from COCOMI and FOCS, but AMUCO stayed away. That meeting, attended by A.K. Mishra and Rajesh Kamble of the MHA, ended without resolution. COCOMI’s team, led by Convenor Khuraijam Athouba, reiterated demands for restoring peace and Meitei rights.
The upcoming June 30 meeting is viewed as pivotal in reopening trust channels and initiating confidence-building measures, particularly in light of continued rural violence and concerns about law enforcement failures.
Sources indicate that Meitei CSOs are expected to oppose any extension of the SoO agreement and will demand unrestricted movement across the state. They will also raise concerns about ongoing attacks on farmers by alleged Kuki militants, particularly in peripheral areas.
