IMPHAL: The Kuki‑Zo Women's Forum on Wednesday called for the reimposition of President's Rule in Manipur, saying the prolonged unrest in the state is essentially a political problem that cannot be settled merely by sending additional security personnel.
Demand for constitutional arrangement, probe into alleged ceasefire violations
At a press conference here, the forum reiterated that its demand for a separate administration is not a sectional ambition but a matter of survival. Ginza Vualzong, a spokesperson of the Kuki‑Zo Council, said the community seeks a constitutional arrangement within India that would ensure the safety and dignity of its people.
"Our political demand is not merely a political demand. It is a question of our survival. We want to survive," Ginza Vualzong said.
The group urged the Centre to expedite a political dialogue and pressed for an investigation into alleged attacks attributed to the National Socialist Council of Nagalim‑Isak Chisi Swu/Muivah (NSCN‑IM). It also sought accountability where violations of the ceasefire agreement are established.
Calls for compensation and listing of affected villages
Ginza told the gathering that Kuki‑Zo civilians felt safer when the state was under President's Rule and alleged that 32 members of the community had been killed since the formation of the current state government. The forum demanded ex gratia compensation for the next of kin of those killed and for families whose houses were burned in attacks.
The forum listed several vulnerable villages that it said faced repeated incidents of armed attack and arson, including Thawai Kuki, Mullam, Songphel, Loibol, Kultuh, N Teikhang and Chassad.
- Demand for reimposition of President's Rule in Manipur.
- Call for a Union Territory with a legislature as a separate administration for Kuki‑Zo people.
- Request for probe into alleged ceasefire violations and ex gratia compensation for victims.
Security deployment versus political solution
The forum criticised the approach of addressing the situation solely through security measures. "The government of India is trying to solve it, thinking that it is a security issue by sending lots and lots of security forces in Manipur. For three years nothing works because it is a political issue," Ginza said, according to the forum's statement.
While the group made clear it does not seek separation from India, it emphasised that a distinct constitutional arrangement — proposed as a Union Territory with a legislature — is necessary so members of the community can live with safety and dignity.
Background and wider context
Manipur has witnessed sustained ethnic tensions and periodic violence in recent years. Community leaders and local organisations have frequently pressed for political solutions alongside security measures. The forum asserted that during the previous spell of President's Rule, members of its community did not suffer loss of life in violent incidents, using that period to argue for the same administration to be reinstated.
In addition to the demand for President's Rule and a separate administrative structure, the forum called for immediate investigations and accountability in incidents it linked to armed groups and alleged violations of ceasefire agreements.
What the demands mean for the Centre and the state government
If the Centre were to consider reimposing President's Rule, it would involve invoking Article 356 of the Constitution, effectively suspending the state government and placing administration under the central authority. Such a move would be politically sensitive and would require the Union government to weigh law and order considerations against democratic norms and the political fallout of overriding an elected government.
| Issue | Forum's demand |
|---|---|
| Administration | Union Territory with a legislature for Kuki‑Zo people |
| Immediate step | Reimposition of President's Rule |
| Accountability | Investigation into alleged ceasefire violations and attacks |
The forum's demands are likely to increase pressure on both the state administration and the Centre to articulate a clear roadmap for political dialogue and remedial measures. Any official response from the state government or the Ministry of Home Affairs had not been reported at the time of the forum's statement.
Observers say durable resolution will require inclusive talks that address political grievances alongside steps to restore security and protect vulnerable communities, though such engagements are often complex and protracted.
