Kuki Zo SoO group held talk with Manipur government and Center

Amid fresh unrest in Manipur, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the State government on Friday resumed talks with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact.
The dialogue, held in New Delhi after a gap of two months, assumes significance as it marked the first such meeting attended by officials of the Manipur government following the restoration of an elected government under Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh on February 4.
The SoO pact, originally signed in 2008 with the United Peoples’ Front and the Kuki National Organisation—an umbrella body of 24 insurgent groups—had lapsed in February 2024 after the then State government declined to extend it. It was later renewed with revised ground rules on September 4, 2025 during President’s Rule, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the State.
The meeting was led by MHA Adviser (North East) Ajit Lal and attended by officials of the Intelligence Bureau, Manipur Home Secretary N. Ashok Kumar, and Additional Director General of Police Ashutosh Kumar Sinha.
In a joint statement, the KNO and UPF said the day-long discussions focused on operational and security-related issues. Both sides broadly agreed on the need to relocate certain SoO camps to reduce friction with local populations and improve the security situation. While the government proposed shifting seven of the existing 14 camps, the Kuki-Zo groups indicated their decision to consolidate the camps to 12.
The Kuki-Zo groups also raised concerns over the prevailing unrest in Ukhrul district, alleging that Kuki communities continue to live under constant threat of attacks by Tangkhul armed groups. They claimed that several Kuki-Zo villages have been burnt in the past month and called for urgent security intervention and confidence-building measures. Fresh clashes between Tangkhul Nagas and Kukis have been reported in the district since February 7.
During the talks, the groups reiterated their demand for a Union Territory with a legislature for the hill areas, stating that a return to the pre-conflict status quo was not feasible. They further alleged lack of accountability in addressing attacks on Kuki-Zo legislators, government officials and civilians in Imphal and across valley districts, including Bishnupur district, Imphal East district, Imphal West district, Thoubal district, Kakching district and Jiribam district.
According to reports, at least 11 people have been killed since April 7 in incidents reported from Bishnupur and Ukhrul districts, reflecting the continuing volatility in the State.