Imphal: Amid the Centre’s moves to revive an elected government in Manipur, Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) chairman Henlianthang Thanglet cautioned that the inclusion of Kuki-Zo MLAs in a new dispensation could trigger unrest, saying emotions remain raw after the ethnic violence that erupted in 2023.
Thanglet said the prevailing situation was not conducive to restoring a popular government and argued that extending President’s Rule would help stabilise the state, according to The Hindu.
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025, and the Union government has been reviewing options to reinstate an elected government, where the participation of Kuki-Zo legislators would be critical.
“There are ten Kuki-Zo MLAs in the 60-member Assembly, including seven from the BJP. These MLAs were the first to write to the Prime Minister seeking a separate administration,” Thanglet said.
He maintained that restoring an elected government at this stage could reignite tensions. “It is not healthy to form a popular government now. Let peace return first. President’s Rule should continue for at least another year,” he said, citing Jammu and Kashmir’s prolonged period under central rule as an example.
Ethnic violence between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities in May 2023 led to the creation of buffer zones separating hill and valley districts. Thanglet said repeated clashes have occurred in fringe areas where these regions meet, disrupting normal movement.
He said National Highway-2, which passes through Kangpokpi district and connects the Imphal valley to Nagaland and Assam, has remained sensitive since 2023. Meitei movement through the highway and Kuki-Zo access to Imphal airport have both been affected. “The highway does not belong to any community. Travel should happen with adequate security. Fear persists on both sides,” he said.
On governance, Thanglet said security conditions improved after the imposition of President’s Rule but warned that premature political restoration could destabilise the situation. He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs extended the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups on September 4, 2025, and dialogue has since resumed.
He said discussions with the Centre have covered issues such as land rights, and the community remains hopeful that the Centre may consider its demand for a separate administration, a Union Territory with a legislature, in the future.
About 250 people were killed and nearly 60,000 displaced during the violence. While authorities said around 9,000 people have returned home in recent weeks, Thanglet said no Kuki-Zo families have been able to do so. “Most had homes in Imphal. Without police stations and deployment of central forces, we cannot send them back. I appeal to the Governor to ensure security arrangements first,” he said.