Imphal: Manipur’s simmering ethnic tensions have escalated into a constitutional standoff as Kuki-Zo organisations vow to block critical highways until their demand for a separate Union Territory is met, directly defying Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s order to reopen all arterial roads by March 8.
The crisis deepened after Home Minister Amit Shah mandated the reopening of Manipur’s highways, including National Highway 2 (NH-2)—a vital supply corridor—by March 8 to restore normalcy in the state, which has been roiled by violence since May 2023. However, Kuki groups, led by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), declared they would bar free movement in “Kuki-Zo territories,” calling their demand for a Separate Administration “non-negotiable.”
COCOMI accuses CoTU of challenging central government
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a Meitei civil society group, sharply criticized CoTU’s “Unbreakable Declaration,” accusing it of promoting secessionism, inciting unrest, and violating constitutional rights. “Such declarations are a direct attack on India’s sovereignty,” a COCOMI spokesperson said, urging the government to arrest CoTU leaders for their “anti-national” stance. COCOMI also alleged that Manipur’s violence was “premeditated” by Kuki groups to justify political separation.
Kuki-Zo meeting underway
Amid the standoff, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), Kuki MLAs, and Suspension of Operations (SoO)-bound insurgent groups convened an emergency meeting in Lamka today to strategize their response to Shah’s directive. The SoO agreement—a ceasefire pact between Kuki militants and the Centre—adds complexity, as signatories now face pressure to align with either statehood demands or federal orders. Sources indicate the groups may harden their stance, risking further clashes with security forces.
“March to the Hills” called off
In a parallel development, the Manipur administration banned the Federation of Civil Society Organizations (FOCS) from holding its “March to the Hills” scheduled for March 8, following warnings from the Assam Rifles about potential violence. Kuki-Zo groups had opposed the Meitei-dominated march as a “provocative incursion” into their territories. Authorities warned that violations would invite strict penalties, reflecting fears of renewed ethnic clashes.
The crisis traces back to May 2023, when protests over tribal land rights erupted into violence between the majority Meitei community, concentrated in Imphal Valley, and Kuki-Zo tribes in the hills. Over 250 lives have been lost, and 60,000 displaced, with highways often blockaded. While Kuki groups seek a separate UT, Meitei organisations like COCOMI insist on Manipur’s territorial integrity.
The Centre has directed state authorities to prosecute groups obstructing highways, with officials stating, “No entity can hold the nation hostage.” Security forces remain on high alert, particularly along NH-2, where Kuki activists have reportedly set up checkpoints. With today’s Kuki-Zo meeting likely to shape the next phase of the crisis, all eyes are on whether the groups will comply with Delhi’s orders or escalate their resistance.
