The Kuki-Zo tribal groups on Tuesday (Jan 13, 2026) said they have decided to join the people’s government in Manipur, provided the central and state governments give a written commitment to support a negotiated political solution for the union territory with constitutional legislation.
In a meeting attended by the People’s United Front and the Kuki National Organization (KNO), the Kuki-Zo insurgent groups pact on suspension of operations (SoO) with the government, five members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and two representatives of the Kuki-Zo Council, a civil society group, in Guwahati on Tuesday (13th term” which ends in February 2027).
The resolution passed by the tribal bodies on Tuesday (January 13, 2026) assumes significance as it is the first time the tribal bodies have agreed to join the state government since May 3, 2023, when ethnic violence between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei people erupted in the state, claiming 250 lives and displacing about 60,000 people. After the violence, SoO and MLA groups demanded separate administration for the Kuki-Zo people.
Manipur was placed under President’s Rule on 13 February 2025 and the 60-member assembly, which has 37 MLAs from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is suspended.
The Hindu reported on January 7 that as the President’s rule in Manipur ends on February 13 for a year, hectic negotiations are underway by the Union government to restore people’s rule in Manipur. There are a total of 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs in the assembly, including seven from the BJP, and their participation is crucial if an elected government is to be restored in the state at all.
The resolution stated: “In the absence of such political commitment from both the central and state governments, the meeting decided to respect the political will of the people by refraining from any participation in the formation of an elected government in Manipur. It is resolved that a definitive political solution for the Kuki-Zo people must be reached before the 2027 general elections.”
The group decided that the central government must expedite a political settlement to meet its demand for a Union Territory with legislation including adequate constitutional provisions to protect “land ownership”.
She added that the negotiated political settlement must be finalized and signed before the end of the regular term of the current state legislature.
The BJP leadership has asked all MLAs to be present at the scheduled meeting in Guwahati on Wednesday (January 14, 2026).
Published – 13 Jan 2026 22:36 IST
