The statement follows Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s April 10 visit to Hengbung, which local groups view as a violation of the buffer zone arrangement.
BY PC Bureau
April 12, 2026: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) on Sunday reiterated strict enforcement of the buffer zone in Manipur’s hill districts, stating that no crossing will be allowed until a political solution to the ongoing ethnic conflict is achieved.
In a press release issued on April 12, the ITLF said that, in accordance with its Meeting Resolution No. 3 dated February 12, 2026, individuals from the Meitei community will not be permitted to enter Churachandpur, and that the buffer zone restrictions will remain in force until further notice. “Until a political solution is achieved, there shall be no crossing of the buffer zone,” the statement said.
The forum further stressed the need for strict compliance, urging all concerned to maintain peace and stability. “All concerned are required to respect and strictly adhere to the buffer zone, so as to prevent any untoward incidents and to maintain peace and stability,” it added.
CoTU Members Quit Over Leaders’ Silence on Buffer Zone Breach by Manipur CM https://t.co/UKJUaspfY5 #ManipurCM #Kangpokpi #CoTU #KukiZo #BufferZone #NortheastIndia #NemchaKipgen
— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) April 11, 2026
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The statement comes just two days after Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh travelled through NH-2 to Kangpokpi and beyond, including a visit to Hengbung village, a Kuki-dominated area located about 7 km from Kangpokpi town. The April 10 visit, made while returning from Senapati district, has been widely viewed by local groups as a breach of the buffer zone arrangement.
Adding to the controversy, the Chief Minister also visited the residence of Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen, an Independent legislator elected in the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections, drawing strong reactions from civil society organisations.
Amid the growing tension, all volunteers and executives of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) in Kangpokpi have submitted their mass resignation, expressing anger over the silence of Kuki-Zo leadership—particularly Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen—on the issue.
“We have laid down our lives to protect the sanctity of the buffer zone, and now our own MLA is hosting the Chief Minister. It is a shame,” a Kuki-Zo leader said.
For many in the region, the larger concern is the absence of any strong response from Kuki-Zo leaders. The silence of Nemcha Kipgen has drawn sharp criticism, with sections of the community accusing her of failing to defend key safeguards.
An insider said that when Nemcha Kipgen assumed office, she had assured CoTU members and civil society leaders that she would uphold the sanctity of the buffer zone. “Now that the Chief Minister himself has visited Hengbung and the Deputy CM remains silent, members are deeply upset. Their mass resignation is a direct protest,” the source added.
Meanwhile, the ITLF also announced that a grand programme will be observed on May 3, 2026, marking “Separation Day” at the Wall of Remembrance. The forum said the occasion is dedicated to honouring the memory of martyrs and called for unity and public participation. It further appealed for support, noting that contributions would help uphold the dignity of those remembered.
The developments underscore rising tensions in Manipur’s hill districts and highlight the fragility of existing peace mechanisms amid continuing ethnic divisions.
