The Kuki-Zo Council’s latest advisory warning community employees against movement to valley regions highlights deepening mistrust and persistent security fears, even as a new Meitei-led government prepares to assume office.
BY PC Bureau
February 8, 2026: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) on Saturday issued a strong advisory urging all Kuki-Zo government and private employees to refrain from travelling to or accepting postings in Meitei-dominated areas, citing the continuing volatility of the ethnic conflict in Manipur and the absence of any credible political settlement.
In a press release dated February 8, the apex civil body of the Kuki-Zo people cautioned that the security situation on the ground remains fragile, tense, and unpredictable, even as a new Meitei-led government is set to assume office.
“The conflict between the Kuki-Zo people and the Meiteis has not yet ended. There is no political solution, no mutually agreed settlement, and no formal agreement in place to guarantee safety and security,” the statement said, warning that any administrative orders or postings cannot override the priority of safeguarding human life.
The advisory comes at a politically sensitive moment, as three Kuki-Zo MLAs recently extended support to the formation of the Manipur government, breaking ranks with the broader community consensus that has demanded separate administrative arrangements or Union Territory status for the Kuki-Zo dominated hill areas.
Political Context: Three Kuki-Zo MLAs Back Government Formation
The decision by three Kuki-Zo legislators to support the government formation has triggered widespread resentment and unrest across hill districts, where civil society organisations, tribal bodies, and community groups view the move as a betrayal of the collective political demand.
Since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023, Kuki-Zo political leadership and civil society have maintained a near-unified stance, refusing engagement with the state government and demanding separate administration, citing complete breakdown of trust and security.
However, the recent alignment of the three MLAs with the ruling formation is being seen as fracturing that political unity, raising concerns about internal divisions, legitimacy, and representation.
One of the MLAs is expected to be inducted into the new Manipur cabinet, a move that has further intensified anger among large sections of the Kuki-Zo community, particularly among youth groups and tribal organisations.
READ: Armed Outfit UKNA Warns Kuki-Zo MLA Supporting Manipur Govt
Security Fears Remain High
In its statement, the KZC warned that government employees could face serious security risks if directed to serve in Meitei-dominated areas, stressing that safe movement and coexistence cannot be guaranteed in the current environment.
“With the installation of a new Meitei-led government, there is a strong likelihood that employees may be transferred or directed to serve in valley areas. KZC strongly advises all employees not to travel, report for duty, or accept postings in such areas, even if officially instructed,” the council said.
The council underlined that the advisory was issued purely in the interest of protecting human life, adding that no official duty is worth risking personal safety at this critical juncture.
Deepening Political and Social Fault Lines
Political observers say the advisory reflects the deep distrust, unresolved trauma, and fractured governance landscape in Manipur, where ethnic divisions continue to shape political decisions, movement, employment, and public life.
With over two years since violence first erupted, and no comprehensive political roadmap in place, the state remains locked in a fragile equilibrium, where every political development carries serious security and social implications.
The Kuki-Zo Council urged authorities to recognise ground realities and act responsibly, warning that without justice-driven peace and lasting political settlement, instability will persist.
