The Kuki-Zo Council criticized a memorandum by Meetei organizations seeking abolition of tribal chieftainship, calling it provocative amid ongoing ethnic tensions.
BY PC Bureau
December 1, 2025 — The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has vehemently opposed what it calls “renewed attempts to activate the Manipur Hill Areas (Acquisition of Chiefs’ Rights) Act, 1967.” The Council warned that any move to enforce the Act—which was never implemented—would pose a direct threat to tribal land rights, traditional chieftainship, and the identity of the Kuki-Zo people.
In the statement, the KZC said the Act remained unimplemented for decades “because it would dismantle the traditional chieftainship system and tribal land ownership safeguarded under constitutional protections for the hill peoples.” It added that enforcing the Act “directly threatens the heritage, autonomy, and identity of the Kuki-Zo community.”
The press release was issued by Ginza Vualzong, Secretary of Information and Publicity, Kuki-Zo Council.
KZC Slams Meetei Tribe Union Memorandum Seeking Abolition of Chieftainship
The Council expressed alarm over a recent memorandum submitted by the Meetei Tribe Union and reportedly forwarded by the Manipur Home Department for action. The memorandum proposes the abolition of tribal chieftainship—an idea the KZC described as deeply provocative and insensitive.
The press release states: “The very notion that a non-tribal organization is proposing fundamental changes to tribal land governance highlights deep disregard for tribal rights.”
With Manipur still grappling with violent conflict and large-scale displacement, the Council said the timing of this move appears deliberate and dangerous.
“At a time when Manipur remains in a state of conflict and displacement, raising such a destabilizing issue is a deliberate move against the Kuki-Zo and risks further escalation,” the statement warned.
The Council urged the Governor of Manipur to intervene so that the matter “is not taken forward under present circumstances.”
Concerns Over NEC Sanction for Guest House in Imphal
The Kuki-Zo Council also criticized the North Eastern Council’s (NEC) announcement on November 27, 2025, sanctioning ₹2.13 crore for a Hill Chiefs’ Guest House at Palace Compound, Imphal.
According to the statement, this is a location “where Kuki-Zo chiefs and citizens cannot safely enter today.”
The Council said such decisions reflect a serious disconnect from the lived realities of conflict-affected tribes:
“Such decisions show a disconnect from ground realities and do not prioritize the urgent needs of conflict-affected tribal communities.”
The NEC was urged to withhold the project until peace and access are restored.
READ: The IDP Return Demand: A New Flashpoint in Manipur
‘Marginalization and Insecurity Continue’
The KZC said recent developments reflect ongoing marginalization of Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur. The statement stressed that tribal institutions, land, and customary governance are non-negotiable.
“Protecting our land, institutions, and rights is non-negotiable. Lasting peace and stability demand a political arrangement that guarantees safety, dignity, and self-governance for the Kuki-Zo people,” the release asserted.
Call for a Permanent Political Solution
The Council urged the Government of India to expedite political dialogue to deliver a lasting settlement.
It concluded: “We therefore urge the Government of India to expedite political talks and deliver a fair, just, and permanent solution without delay.”
