Guwahati: Hopes of the Kuki legislators participating in the formation of a new elected government in Manipur have effectively dimmed, with Kuki MLAs insisting on a written and time-bound assurance from the incoming government for the creation of a separate Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo communities.
The position was finalised at a meeting held in Guwahati on Tuesday, where Kuki MLAs met representatives of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) groups and leaders of the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) to review the prevailing political and security situation in Manipur.
The meeting concluded that any participation in government formation would be contingent on a firm constitutional commitment towards a separate administrative arrangement.
The formation of a government is crucial for the BJP, as elections to the state’s lone Rajya Sabha seat are scheduled to be held this year.
The lone Rajya Sabha seat from Manipur, currently held by Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba of the BJP, is scheduled to become vacant on June 21, 2026.
According to a resolution adopted at the meeting, the proposed government must provide a written commitment to support a negotiated political settlement for a Union Territory with Legislature under the Constitution.
The resolution further stated that such a commitment must be implemented in a time-bound manner within the tenure of the present Legislative Assembly.
“In the absence of such political commitment from both the Central and State governments, the meeting resolves to respect the political will of the people by refraining from taking any part in the formation of an elected government in Manipur,” the resolution said.
The meeting also resolved that a definitive political solution for the Kuki-Zo people must be achieved before the 2027 General Elections, underlining the urgency of the demand amid prolonged political uncertainty.
Reviewing the ongoing crisis in Manipur, the participants referred to the formal political demand submitted in September 2023 and recalled the severe ethnic violence and targeted attacks faced by the Kuki-Zo community over the past year.
The resolution expressed grave concern over alleged complicity and support by state agencies during the violence and noted the deep erosion of trust in existing governance structures.
Taking cognisance of what it described as an unprecedented de facto demographic and administrative separation that has existed for nearly 32 months, the meeting unanimously reiterated its demand that the Central government must expedite a negotiated political settlement.
This, it said, should include the creation of a Union Territory with Legislature and adequate constitutional safeguards for land ownership and community rights.
The resolution further stated that the political settlement must be finalised and formally signed before the expiry of the normal tenure of the current Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on February 9 amid prolonged ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that began in May 2023.
The Centre imposed President’s Rule under Article 356 after the Governor reported a breakdown of constitutional machinery and political deadlock, as the ruling BJP failed to agree on a successor despite having majority support.
Parliament subsequently approved a six-month extension of President’s Rule from August 13, 2025, which remains in force until February 13, 2026.
While the Centre has indicated improvements in law and order since the imposition of central rule, debates continue over the restoration of an elected government.
However, organisations representing the Kuki-Zo community, including the KZC, have consistently opposed the formation of a popular government without a prior political settlement, warning that participation by Kuki MLAs without safeguards could further destabilise the fragile situation.
As the deadline for President’s Rule approaches, the Centre faces mounting pressure to decide between restoring an elected government and addressing the long-pending demand for a separate administrative arrangement.
