In a rejoinder to Naga MLAs’ appeal to Amit Shah, Kuki-Zo legislators called allegations against Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen and Kuki militant leaders “totally illogical” and warned that ending the SoO framework could worsen tensions.
BY PC Bureau
September 1: Kuki-Zo legislators in Manipur have written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah rejecting a recent appeal by Naga MLAs for action against Kuki-Zo leaders and militant groups, while calling on elected representatives from both communities to exercise restraint and help prevent further escalation in the state’s hill districts.
The letter, dated September 1 and signed by Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen, convenor of the Kuki-Zo MLA Forum, and Singhat MLA Chinlunthang, its secretary, was issued as a “rejoinder and clarification” to the Naga legislators’ appeal to Shah.
The Kuki-Zo MLAs said they were “aghast and deeply pained” by the recent violence, in which, they said, innocent civilians from both communities had borne the brunt.
They condemned the “wanton killings and arsons” irrespective of the community of the victims and said they had continued to advocate the restoration of peace.
The legislators rejected the Naga MLAs’ demand for action against Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Kuki-Zo militant leaders, including Thangboi Kipgen of the Kuki National Front-Presidential (KNF-P) and an individual identified as “Tiger Kipgen”.
Describing the attempt to name them as instigators as “totally illogical”, the Kuki-Zo MLAs argued that the current violence had evolved into a broader communal conflict that had “escalated beyond the sphere of individual control and influences regardless of his or her position.”
SoO demand rejected
The Kuki-Zo legislators also rejected the Naga MLAs’ call for abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with Kuki-Zo armed groups.
They termed the demand “irrelevant” and said it had “no locus standi” at this stage, arguing that scrapping the agreements could be “counter-productive” and risk further escalation.
The SoO framework is a tripartite arrangement involving the Centre, the Manipur government and designated Kuki-Zo armed groups. Under the framework, participating groups agree to suspend offensive operations and remain in designated camps while the government monitors their activities. The agreements have been part of the Centre’s broader attempt to contain armed conflict and facilitate political dialogue with the groups.
The Kuki-Zo MLAs said the focus should instead be on preventing further violence and restoring confidence between the communities.
READ: Manipur: 18 Kuki-Zo Killed in Five Months, 250 Houses Burnt in a Year
Appeal for restraint
Calling on elected representatives from both communities to take responsibility, the MLAs urged them to “reign in their respective communities for restraint rather than pointing fingers of accusation.”
They appealed to Shah for his “benevolent intervention and wisdom for amicable settlement of the current imbroglio.”
The rejoinder comes days after Naga legislators, including Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, wrote to Shah describing the situation in the hills as “critical and volatile” and seeking immediate action against those they accused of involvement in attacks on Naga civilians.
The Naga legislators had cited, among other incidents, the killing and alleged mutilation of six Naga men whose bodies were recovered in June. They also sought action against Nemcha Kipgen over alleged collusion and called for the abrogation of the SoO agreements with Kuki-Zo militant groups.
The Naga legislators’ letter had also raised concerns about their ability to continue extending political support to the state government if their demands were not addressed.
Fresh Kuki-Naga tensions
The exchange between the two groups of legislators comes amid renewed tensions between Kuki-Zo and Naga communities in Manipur’s hill districts.
The latest friction has unfolded against the backdrop of the larger Meitei-Kuki-Zo conflict that began in May 2023 and has left hundreds dead and displaced tens of thousands.
The Centre and the Manipur government had not issued an immediate public response to the Kuki-Zo MLAs’ rejoinder.
With elected representatives from the two communities now making competing appeals to the Union Home Ministry, the dispute has added a new political dimension to the escalating Kuki-Naga tensions in the state’s hills.
