Stressing constitutional sanctity, the Kuki-Zo groups said only Parliament can decide territorial reconfigurations, dismissing Manipur’s unilateral state-level assertions.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, September 5, 2025 — A day after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki armed groups, the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF) issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to a “time-bound tripartite dialogue” with the Centre and the Government of Manipur.
Calling the renewed pact a “significant step toward restoring peace and political stability,” the groups said the process must culminate in a negotiated political settlement within the framework of the Constitution of India.
“The path forward lies in dialogue, not division,” the statement declared.
“This agreement is not an end in itself, but the beginning of a structured dialogue for peace, security, and dignity of the Kuki-Zo people.”
READ: Here is All You Want to Know About MHA–Kuki-Zo Agreement
On Territorial Integrity
The KNO and UPF stressed that any debate on Manipur’s territorial integrity should remain within the ambit of the Indian Constitution. Citing Articles 1, 3, and 368, they argued that only Parliament has the authority to reconfigure state boundaries.
“Unilateral assertions by any state government or misinterpretations by courts cannot substitute the constitutional process,” the statement said.
Highway Controversy Clarified
The groups also addressed recent allegations that Kuki-Zo groups were responsible for the closure of National Highway-2, the lifeline linking Imphal to Dimapur.
“The Kuki-Zo community never closed or blocked NH-2,” the statement clarified. “The Kuki-Zo Council’s appeal was confined only to the Kangpokpi stretch and was meant to encourage cooperation with central security forces to ensure the safe passage of essential goods.”
Here is the Press Release; UPF-KNO-Sept5
At the same time, KNO and UPF underlined that this stance should not be mistaken for a blanket endorsement of free movement across “buffer zones” separating Kuki-Zo and Meitei areas.
“The sanctity of these buffer zones remains paramount. The responsibility for securing the highway rests with the Government of India and its security forces,” the statement said.
Demand for Union Territory Status
Looking ahead, the organisations reiterated that the Kuki-Zo political aspiration remains the creation of a Union Territory with legislature within the Constitution of India.
READ: MHA Agreement Legitimises ‘Narco-Terrorist’ Groups: COCOMI
“We will uphold the people’s aspiration for a Union Territory with legislature for the Kuki-Zo people,” the statement read, framing it as the logical outcome of the proposed dialogue.
The KNO and UPF urged the media and public to avoid “misinformed narratives” that could inflame tensions.
“We appeal to all to respect the nuanced realities of the region’s security and political landscape,” the statement concluded.
The joint release comes amid heated reactions in Manipur. While the Kuki-Zo groups hailed the SoO renewal as a step toward peace, Meitei civil society groups such as the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) condemned it as granting “legitimacy to narco-terrorist groups.”
The contrasting reactions underscore the polarised realities in Manipur
