The Zomi Council has declared that the Kuki-Zo Council is not legitimate and cannot operate in areas under its jurisdiction. The Zomi Council released the statement on Tuesday, saying it does not recognize the authority or presence of the Kuki-Zo Council in any administrative, political, or social capacity within its territories.
This announcement has added a new layer to the ongoing ethnic unrest in Manipur, which has witnessed clashes, mistrust, and competing claims of territorial rights among the Kuki-Zo, Zomi, and other indigenous communities.
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Kuki-Zo Council not legitimate in Zomi-administered regions
In the press note issued by the Zomi Council, the group made it clear that they consider the Kuki-Zo Council an external and non-representative body. “The Kuki-Zo Council has no locus standi to interfere in the affairs of Zomi territory. Any such interference will be treated as a violation of our community’s integrity,” the statement read.
The Zomi Council argued that the Kuki-Zo body has recently made moves to influence land administration, governance matters, and community-level decisions in Zomi-dominated areas. According to the Zomi leadership, these efforts were not only unauthorized but also deliberately provocative.
Escalating tensions in tribal administration
Tensions have been building in Manipur’s tribal belt since violence erupted in May 2023. While the broader conflict has often been framed as Meitei versus Kuki-Zo, internal divisions within hill communities have grown sharper over time.
The latest statement by the Zomi Council reflects rising unease over boundary issues, cultural identity, and overlapping jurisdiction claims. The council warned that any move by the Kuki-Zo Council to assert control would be met with strong community resistance.
Local observers believe that the Zomi Council’s position is also a response to recent meetings and announcements by the Kuki-Zo Council regarding territorial administration in southern Manipur.
Zomi Council warns of consequences
The Zomi Council stated that it would treat any action or communication from the Kuki-Zo Council within Zomi territory as invalid and intrusive. It also asked the public, particularly residents in Zomi-administered areas, not to entertain any directions or policies issued by the Kuki-Zo Council.
According to the Zomi leadership, the attempt to assert authority by the Kuki-Zo Council undermines the traditional governance structures of the Zomi people, who have a long-standing administrative system rooted in customary law and cultural practices.
The Zomi Council called on the Manipur government to recognize the internal administrative divisions within hill communities and refrain from granting legitimacy to any group operating outside its traditional boundaries.
Appeal to peace and mutual respect
Despite the strong tone of the statement, the Zomi Council maintained that it wants to avoid any further escalation of conflict. “We urge all communities to respect traditional boundaries and governance systems. The path forward should be based on mutual recognition and peaceful coexistence,” the council noted.
They emphasized that their decision to reject the Kuki-Zo Council was not an attack on the Kuki-Zo people as a whole, but rather a stance against what they described as an illegitimate attempt to seize control of Zomi affairs.
The statement also hinted at a potential formal petition to state and central authorities seeking official clarification on jurisdiction boundaries and the status of tribal councils in Manipur.
Historical context to the dispute
The Zomi and Kuki-Zo communities share ethnic roots but have distinct histories, political affiliations, and administrative traditions. While both belong to the broader Zo ethnic family, internal divisions have long existed.
Over the years, these differences have translated into competing claims for land, resources, and leadership over hill territories in southern and western Manipur.
The Kuki-Zo Council, formed in the wake of the 2023 violence, has aimed to bring various Kuki-Chin-Mizo subgroups under one umbrella for political representation. However, the Zomi Council argues that this grouping ignores the autonomy and cultural identity of other Zo-related communities like the Zomis.
Political leaders call for dialogue
In response to the latest developments, some tribal leaders and civil society actors in Manipur have urged both councils to seek dialogue. They stressed that unity among indigenous groups is crucial at a time when many communities feel politically marginalized.
However, leaders close to the Zomi Council said that any dialogue must start with a clear understanding of territorial sovereignty and governance rights. “We are open to talks, but only if the Kuki-Zo Council withdraws all claims to administer Zomi areas,” one Zomi elder said.
The Zomi Council’s declaration that the Kuki-Zo Council is not legitimate within its regions highlights a growing intra-tribal divide in Manipur. As tensions persist, the need for clarity, mutual respect, and institutional recognition of tribal governance structures becomes more urgent.
With land, identity, and community dignity at the heart of the conflict, resolving the dispute will require more than press statements—it will need inclusive dialogue, trust-building, and sincere political engagement.
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