Kuki bodies set up three pre-conditions ahead of April 5 talks in Delhi

Kuki-Zo and Meitei groups set pre-conditions ahead of MHA talks in New Delhi on April 5, 2025.

Ahead of the April 5 talks between Kuki-Zo and Meitei groups called by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi, the Kuki leadership based in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district has set up three pre-conditions, including no cross movement between Meitei and Kukis in the areas where the other community is in majority.

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Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) chairman Henlianthang Thanglet said the three conditions were set up during a consultation meet organised at Kangpokpi by the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) on Tuesday (April 1, 2025).

Mr. Thanglet said the three pre-conditions are “the movement of Meitei individuals in Kuki-Zo-dominated areas and vice versa shall be strictly restricted, hostilities shall be halted for a minimum period of six months to facilitate negotiations and a structured formal and meaningful dialogue process must be initiated during the ceasefire period”.

A functionary of the Kuki-Zo Council said the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has called for a meeting between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei groups in New Delhi on April 5.

More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based majority Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo tribals since May 2023.

Also read: Manipur violence accounted for 97% of displacements in South Asia in 2023: Report