Kuki-Zo Council Seeks Equal Justice, Political Solution

The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has appealed to the Government of India to ensure equal justice, end humanitarian hardships faced by the Kuki-Zo community, and expedite a political solution to the ongoing crisis in Manipur.

In a press handout issued on July 13, the Council alleged that continued violence, denial of healthcare, economic blockades, and repeated attacks on Kuki-Zo villages have exposed serious failures in ensuring constitutional rights and equal protection for affected civilians.

Council Highlights Continued Violence

The Council claimed that since March 2026, 15 Kuki-Zo civilians have been killed and around 55 houses in 14 villages have been destroyed during violence allegedly involving armed Naga groups.

According to the Council, fresh incidents in Noney district saw villages including Leikot, Nungthut, and Khongmol set ablaze during July, forcing villagers to flee into nearby forests and worsening the humanitarian situation.

The Council said the current cycle of violence began after an incident at Litan Sareikhong in February 2026. It stated that despite attempts to resolve the matter through traditional tribal mechanisms, the situation escalated into sustained violence.

Calls for Equal Justice

The Council condemned the killing of six Manipur-Naga hostages and said those responsible should be identified through a fair and impartial investigation.

However, it expressed concern over what it described as unequal official and media attention given to different incidents.

According to the Council, while the killing of the six Naga hostages received extensive investigative focus, the deaths of 15 Kuki-Zo civilians, including three pastors, allegedly killed since March 2026, have not received similar urgency.

The Council maintained that equal justice must be applied to all communities, warning that selective investigations could deepen mistrust and weaken prospects for lasting peace.

Healthcare Access Raised as Major Concern

The Council also highlighted an incident involving three injured Kuki-Zo youths who were reportedly unable to continue treatment at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, following protests inside the hospital.

One of the injured was identified as Paogoulal Chongloi, a footballer associated with Mohun Bagan Super Giant Football Club.

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According to the Council, the patients were subsequently shifted to Churachandpur District Hospital.

The Council said denial or obstruction of medical treatment on ethnic grounds violates constitutional guarantees and humanitarian principles.

Economic Blockade and Humanitarian Crisis

The Council alleged that transportation routes supplying Kuki-Zo areas remain blocked in parts of Kangpokpi, Kamjong, Ukhrul and Noney districts.

It claimed that restrictions at Namdilong and Senapati have severely disrupted the movement of food, medicines, fuel and other essential commodities.

According to the Council, the prolonged disruption has driven petrol prices up to ₹250 per litre, while LPG cylinders are reportedly being sold for as much as ₹5,000, placing heavy financial pressure on affected families.

The Council urged authorities to restore free movement of essential supplies, stating that similar interventions had been undertaken during previous road blockades elsewhere.

Political Solution Reiterated

Reiterating its long-standing political demand, the Council said the repeated violence and displacement over the past three years have convinced the Kuki-Zo people that existing administrative arrangements have failed to ensure their security.

It therefore urged the Government of India to expedite political dialogue on its demand for a Separate Administration in the form of a Union Territory with Legislature, describing it as necessary for lasting peace, security and protection of constitutional rights.

Five Demands Placed Before Government

The Kuki-Zo Council urged the Government of India to:

• Conduct fair, impartial and time-bound investigations into all incidents of violence.

• Ensure unhindered healthcare access for Kuki-Zo patients.

• Reopen blocked routes and restore uninterrupted supply of essential commodities.

• Strengthen security in vulnerable Kuki-Zo areas.

• Expedite meaningful political dialogue towards a lasting political solution.

The Council reiterated its commitment to peaceful and democratic means while urging the Centre to intervene to uphold equal justice, constitutional rights and long-term peace in Manipur.