The visit of PM Narendra Modi to Manipur had been long-awaited, particularly because of the ethnic strife that has marred peace in the area for the past two years.
The long-awaited visit has been welcomed across communities, but the responses of the two main stakeholders—the Kuki-Zo tribals and the Meitei population—reflect starkly different perspectives on Manipur’s future.
Kuki-Zo Welcomes the Visit, Demands Separation
For the Kuki-Zo community, Modi’s arrival is being seen as a moment of hope. In a statement, the Kuki-Zo Council, which represents tribal interests, reiterated its long-standing demand for separation from Manipur. They called for the creation of a Union Territory with its own legislature under Article 239A of the Indian Constitution.
Their argument rests on what they describe as years of persecution and insecurity. The Council pointed out that over 250 lives have been lost to targeted violence, more than 360 churches destroyed, 7,000 homes burned, and 40,000 people displaced and forced to live in relief camps.
For them, the demand for a separate administration is not a matter of convenience but survival.
The Zomi Council echoed this sentiment, citing Article 3 of the Constitution, under which states such as Jharkhand, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh were carved out, and Ladakh was granted Union Territory status. They stressed that only such a measure could provide lasting peace and security for their people.
The community has also welcomed the revised Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact, signed on September 4, 2025, between the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the United People’s Front (UPF-Zomi).
The agreement, which requires relocating militant camps away from Meitei-dominated areas while respecting Manipur’s territorial integrity, is being seen as a necessary step toward reconciliation.
In anticipation of Modi’s arrival, the Kuki-Zo groups even lifted their blockade on National Highway 2, allowing free passage of essential goods and commuters.
Civil society groups in Churachandpur urged the PM to recognize the deep-rooted discrimination faced by their people and to ensure that his visit marks the beginning of justice and healing.
Meiteis Raise Concerns Over “Ethnicisation”
The response from the Meitei community, however, has been far more cautious and critical. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a key Meitei civil society organisation, issued a strong statement opposing the Kuki-Zo demand for separation.
According to them, such a move would “ethnicise citizenship and statehood,” leading to “Balkanisation” and the fragmentation of Manipur.
Instead, COCOMI has emphasized the need for a National Register of Citizens (NRC) or a similar robust mechanism to identify illegal immigrants.
They argue that unchecked demographic expansion by immigrant-origin populations has destabilized Manipur’s social and political balance, and correcting this is crucial for long-term peace.
The organisation also highlighted the plight of displaced Meitei civilians and demanded their immediate resettlement.
Equally important, they said, is the restoration of fundamental rights such as the freedom of movement across the state, which have been denied for the past two years due to conflict.
COCOMI further criticised the newly revised SoO pact, describing it as a “deceptive agreement” that risks prolonging proxy wars and instability. They called on the Prime Minister to make it clear that India will not tolerate narco-terrorism, demographic aggression, or external interference in Manipur’s internal affairs.
The Stakes of the PM’s Visit
For the Kuki-Zo, Modi’s presence offers an opportunity to push their case for separation and recognition of their suffering. For the Meiteis, the visit must reaffirm India’s unity and integrity without succumbing to ethnic divisions.
Both sides, however, expect the Prime Minister to provide more than symbolism—his words and actions will be closely scrutinized as indicators of how the Centre plans to navigate Manipur’s delicate ethnic balance.
Modi’s visit thus comes at a decisive moment: whether it becomes a turning point for reconciliation or a stage for deeper polarisation will depend on the assurances he gives and the policies that follow.
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