Kuki-Zo groups say as per revised SoO pact future talks with government will focus on UT with legislature

Kuki-Zo insurgent groups that signed a suspension of operations (SoO) pact with the Manipur government and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on September 2, accused the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of putting a spin on the signed official agreement, which has caused confusion among the people.

It said that following the renewed SoO agreement, future talks between the SoO group and the government’s representatives will focus on the demand for union territory (UT) with legislature for the Kuki-Zo areas in Manipur.

The two groups — the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United Peoples Front (UPF) — said in a statement on Sunday (September 7, 2025) that the PIB’s aberration has seriously upset the Kuki Zo sentiments to a point of affecting the mood over the much-awaited Prime Minister’s visit to Churachandpur on September 13.

“The recently concluded MHA and SoO extension agreement for one year, effective from the date signed September 4, 2025, at New Delhi, clearly states, ‘SoO Agreement shall be followed by a tripartite dialogue with KNO and UPF to pave the way for a negotiated political settlement under the Constitution of India in a time-bound manner.’ The PIB has put a spin on the signed official agreement as follows: “Among other provisions, the revised ground rules reiterated: Need for a negotiated solution to bring peace and stability to the State of Manipur.” This twist by PIB does not figure anywhere in the SoO agreement signed between the MHA and the SoO group, the statement from the groups said.

The statement said that before May 3, 2023, when ethnic violence erupted in the State, the SoO group’s demand was local autonomy by way of the Territorial Council within the State of Manipur. Post-violence, the demand changed to union territory with Legislature, which was submitted at the SoO meeting on September 1, 2023.

The SoO agreement was signed in the wake of the Kuki-Naga clashes in the 1990s, when hundreds were killed. The insurgent groups demanded an independent land for the Kuki-Zo people. The Manipur government pulled out of the agreement on February 29, 2024, putting the pact in limbo. Manipur was placed under President’s Rule on February 13.