Calling the present phase a “critical juncture,” the KLA-L said generational change is key to advancing the struggle for Separate Administration.
BY PC Bureau
October 17, 2025 : In a significant statement, the Kuki Liberation Army–Letkholun (KLA-L) has urged senior leaders within Kuki civil and political organisations, particularly those above the age of 65, to make way for younger leadership to drive the ongoing movement for Separate Administration.
In a press release signed by Jalaimang Kuki, Secretary of Information and Publicity, the KLA-L described the present moment as a “critical juncture” for the Kuki struggle, calling for introspection and generational renewal. The group said that fresh perspectives, renewed energy, and innovative thinking were essential to sustain momentum and strengthen unity within the movement.
“Leaders above 65 years of age may consider stepping aside, enabling new leadership to bring renewed energy and innovative thinking to our struggle,” the statement read.
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The KLA-L warned that internal divisions and participation in the Manipur government formation process without a unified position could undermine the collective cause and invite repercussions from non-SoO (Suspension of Operation) groups, including the KLA-L and the UKNA.
Reaffirming its commitment to the principle of Separate Administration, the organisation said generational change would not only revitalize leadership but also ensure that the sacrifices of the people “are not rendered futile.”
The statement concluded with a call for unity and collective effort to “strengthen our pursuit of Separate Administration and bring us closer to our goal.”
The Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), formed in the 1990s, is one of several armed groups advocating for a separate homeland for the Kuki people — referred to as “Kukiland” — spread across parts of Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, and Myanmar. The outfit’s political wing, the Kuki Liberation Organization (KLO), seeks to establish administrative and political autonomy for the Kuki-Zo community under the banner “Wings of the Motherland.”
Although several Kuki insurgent groups entered into the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Indian government in 2008, yet KLA(L) kept out of it. The KLA-L, which claims to represent the “Government of Kukiland,” often issues statements through its Department of Information and Publicity to articulate its political position on state and national issues.
