The Shillong meet comes as BJP MLAs in Delhi push for restoring the Manipur government, a move that could alter the Kuki-Zo political calculus amid fragile peace.
BY PC Bureau
October 8: Top leaders of the Kuki-Zo community—including representatives from civil society groups, armed organisations under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact, elected MLAs, and key opinion-makers—will gather in Shillong on October 10 and 11 for a brainstorming session to decide the future course of action for the tribal community in Manipur.
According to sources, the primary agenda of the tw-day meeting will be to evolve a unified strategy and ensure better coordination among the various Kuki-Zo bodies that often act independently. Participants are expected to deliberate on creating a single, consolidated communication framework so that all organisations “speak in one voice” and avoid overlapping or conflicting directives.
A senior Kuki-Zo leader cited recent examples of poor coordination, including the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) unilaterally announcing—and later withdrawing—a two-day economic blockade without consulting the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the community’s apex body. “Such actions have weakened the movement’s credibility and created confusion on the ground,” the source said.
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The Shillong conference will also review the Centre’s inaction on the commitments made during last month’s tripartite agreement between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), the United People’s Front (UPF), and the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC). The agreement had pledged to restore free movement along National Highway 02 (Kangpokpi–Dimapur) and renew the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact, along with a follow-up assurance to initiate dialogue on the Kuki-Zo community’s political demands. However, no tangible progress has been made so far to begin the promised talks, a delay that has deepened frustration among tribal leaders.
Kuki-Zo groups have been pressing for a Union Territory status, asserting that coexistence with the Meitei population is “impossible” after the May 3, 2023 ethnic clashes, which left over 360 people dead and 60,000 displaced. The delay in holding talks has deepened frustration within the tribal community.
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Sources said the Shillong meet aims to project unity and resolve after recent episodes that exposed divisions within the Kuki-Zo movement. The gathering will also debate how Kuki-Zo MLAs should respond if the BJP moves to revive the Manipur state government, currently under President’s Rule.
At present, around 30 BJP MLAs are camping in New Delhi, lobbying the central leadership to reinstate an elected government in the state—a move that could have significant political implications for the Kuki-Zo leadership and their ongoing negotiations with the Centre.
