Why it is News?

The peace process hit a critical juncture in February 2026 following two major events:

1. End of President’s Rule: After nearly a year of direct rule from New Delhi, a new BJP-led government was formed on February 4, 2026, under Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh.

2. The “FNTA Style” Peace Deal: Reports indicate the Union Government is finalizing a peace deal similar to the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA). This would grant the Kuki-Zo community significant administrative and financial autonomy without officially redrawing state borders.

   The Main Issues:

The conflict is not just about a single event but a layering of deep-seated grievances:

• Political Identity: The Kuki-Zo demand a “Separate Administration” (often envisioned as a Union Territory), claiming they can no longer live under a Meitei-dominated state government.

• ST Status Row: The spark in May 2023 was a High Court order suggesting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meiteis, which the Kuki-Zo fear would allow Meiteis to buy land in protected hill districts.

• Narrative of “Illegal Immigrants”: The previous state government often labeled Kuki-Zo villagers as “illegal immigrants” from Myanmar or “narco-terrorists” (due to poppy cultivation), a narrative the community fiercely rejects as ethnic profiling.

• The Buffer Zones: Currently, Manipur is physically divided. “Buffer Zones” patrolled by Central Forces separate the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley from the Kuki-Zo-dominated Hills.

  Historical Background & Accords:

The relationship between the state and the Kuki-Zo people has been governed by several key agreements:

Year	Milestone	Description
1949	Manipur Merger	Manipur joined India; hill tribes felt their traditional land rights were not fully protected under the new structure.
2008	SoO Agreement	The Suspension of Operations (SoO) was signed between the Centre, the State, and 25 Kuki-Zo insurgent groups to stop hostilities.
2023	May Violence	The most brutal ethnic clash in Manipur’s history broke out, leading to 250+ deaths and 60,000+ displaced.
2025	Revised SoO Pact	Signed in Sept 2025; it strictly re-defined “Ground Rules,” including relocating militant camps away from highways and verifying cadres via Aadhaar.

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Major Groups & Stakeholders:

The peace process involves a complex web of “Umbrella Organizations”:

1. The Armed Groups (SoO Signatories):

• Kuki National Organisation (KNO): The largest umbrella body, representing groups like the Kuki National Army (KNA).

• United People’s Front (UPF): Another major umbrella group involved in the tripartite talks with New Delhi.

2. Civil Society & Political Bodies:

• Kuki-Zo Council (KZC): Formed in late 2024 to provide a unified political voice for all Kuki-Zo tribes.

  Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF): A key advocacy group based in Churachandpur that led the initial resistance and relief efforts.

• Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU): Primarily active in the Kangpokpi district.

Steps Taken Toward Peace :

• Opening of NH-2: In late 2025, the Kuki-Zo Council agreed to reopen the vital National Highway-2, allowing the flow of essential goods into the Imphal Valley.

• Aadhaar-Linked Stipends: To ensure insurgent groups are not “ghost” organizations, the government now pays stipends only to physically verified cadres with Aadhaar-linked accounts.

• Inclusive Government: In Feb 2026, Nemcha Kipgen (a Kuki leader) was appointed as a Deputy Chief Minister to bridge the trust gap between the hills and the valley.

Future Outlook:

The “peace” remains fragile. While the central government is pushing for a deal that offers financial and legislative devolution (under Article 371C), the hardline Kuki-Zo civil groups still insist on total separation, while Meitei groups in the valley remain wary of any move that might threaten the “Territorial Integrity” of Manipur.