A Kuki-Zo volunteer group has warned its MLAs against participating in joint political efforts with Meitei leaders, citing unresolved ethnic divisions and security concerns in Manipur.
BY PC Bureau
December 20, 2025 — Amid Manipur’s prolonged ethnic conflict, the Village Volunteers Eastern Zone (VVEZ), a Kuki-Zo volunteer group, has expressed “grave concern” over reports that Kuki-Zo Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are holding joint meetings with Meitei legislators in New Delhi.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, VVEZ reiterated its long-standing opposition to Kuki-Zo participation in efforts to form a “popular government” in Manipur, citing the physical and geographical separation between the two communities following the violence that erupted in May 2023. The group maintained that political engagement without a comprehensive settlement risks undermining the safety of the Kuki-Zo population.
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Released under the banner “In Defence of Our Ancestral Land,” the statement urged the Government of India to formally acknowledge this separation and establish a separate administrative arrangement in the form of a Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo people.
It also warned that the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) without a political resolution could “exacerbate tensions and lead to further escalation between affected communities.”
The VVEZ warning follows a similar statement issued earlier this week by the United Kuki National Army (UKNA), a non-ceasefire armed group operating in Manipur’s hill districts. On December 16, the UKNA issued what it described as a “final warning” to Kuki-Zo MLAs and ministers, threatening “severe consequences” should they participate in government-formation efforts or collaborate politically with Meitei leaders. The group accused the legislators of “conspiring” amid ongoing attempts by the Centre to restore political normalcy.
The interventions mark a shift in the conflict’s dynamics, with armed groups increasingly assuming roles traditionally played by civil society organisations (CSOs), which have largely remained silent in recent weeks.
The warnings appear to be a direct response to recent political developments in New Delhi. On December 14, BJP MLAs from both Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities attended a high-level meeting with the party’s central leadership. The two-hour discussion reportedly focused on improving coordination, ensuring “free and safe movement” across the state, and bridging communication gaps between the communities. Party sources described the meeting as a step towards restoring a stable elected government in Manipur, which has been under President’s Rule since February 2025 following intensified violence.
These efforts, however, have drawn sharp criticism from Kuki-Zo bodies. Earlier this month, Meitei BJP MLA Khemchand Singh visited Kuki-dominated villages, a move described by some as a confidence-building exercise. The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) condemned the visit as an “irresponsible publicity stunt,” questioning Singh’s absence during the early stages of the 2023 violence and warning that such actions could inflame tensions.
Manipur’s ethnic conflict, triggered by disputes over Scheduled Tribe status, land rights, and resource allocation, has left hundreds dead and displaced tens of thousands. The state has effectively fractured along ethnic lines, with Meiteis largely inhabiting the Imphal Valley and Kuki-Zo communities controlling the hill districts. Demands for a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo people have grown steadily, driven by allegations of bias on the part of the state government and security forces.
The UKNA had previously issued a warning in August 2025, threatening “capital punishment” for Kuki-Zo MLAs engaging with the state administration or opposing separate administration. The December reiteration is being viewed as a sign of rising militancy amid renewed political manoeuvring.
Recent incidents—including fresh violence in Torbung and Phougakchao Ikhai on December 16 have underscored the fragile security situation on the ground.
As the state navigates another volatile phase, calls for a durable political solution have grown more urgent, with fears mounting that renewed violence could further destabilise the region.
