SoO Leaders Hold Crucial Talks with Kuki CSOs and MLAs; Decision on Joining New Government Expected Soon
Post published on Sun, 16 November, 2025 HEADLINE 26
Imphal, November 16 (Wayel Kati): Senior leaders of the Kuki armed groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) — the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United Peoples Front (UPF) — held a significant round of discussions with Kuki MLAs and civil society organisation (CSO) leaders in Guwahati over the last two days.
According to a reliable source, the SoO leadership had summoned the MLAs and CSO representatives for a closed-door meeting, which concluded late this evening. No formal resolutions have been made public yet, and insiders suggest that the decisions taken will likely be conveyed to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) before any announcement.
The meeting comes in the backdrop of the MHA seeking the opinion of SoO groups and Kuki leaders regarding the formation of a new popular government in Manipur following the removal of President’s Rule. During the talks, several Kuki MLAs reportedly conveyed that they were prepared to resign from their positions if they were excluded from the new government. However, neither the SoO groups nor the CSOs have so far endorsed the MLAs’ stance.
One of the major concerns for the Kuki-Zo community in the event of a new government taking charge is the possible rollback of the restrictions imposed on the movement of Meiteis along National Highway-2. In earlier discussions with the MHA, the SoO groups had pressed for the creation of a separate Union Territory with its own legislature. The proposal was declined by MHA’s representative A.K. Mishra, who stated that the timing was “not appropriate” for such a move — signalling that the demand is unlikely to be met in the near future.
Today’s meeting reportedly explored all possible scenarios, including the political, administrative, and security implications of the ongoing ethnic conflict, and what strategic steps are needed going forward.
The inclusion of Kuki MLAs in the proposed new government remains undecided. The MLAs are said to be under considerable pressure, as they cannot act solely on personal preference. The resolutions finalised during today’s discussion are expected to be announced within the next few days and will determine whether the elected representatives continue in office or step down from their MLA positions.