Amid the demand for abrogation of Suspension of Operations (SoO) with the Kuki militants and a hell-bent stand against the demand for a separate administration, the UPF and KNO put up the demand for a separate administration with legislative powers during talks with the Union Government in New Delhi.
After several rounds of informal talks in the last two-and-half months, the United People's Front (UPF), and the Kuki National Organization (KNO), the two conglomerate organizations of the Kuki militants, held the first formal meet with the Government of India on July 26, which marked the resumption of the formal political dialogue.
The wide-scale violence in Manipur that erupted on May 3 resulted in the demand for a separate administration on the part of the Kuki-Zo community and it gained momentum.
The political dialogue was chaired by AK Mishra, special advisor MHA which was participated by delegates of UPF and KNO led by Aaron Kipgen and Dr Seilen Haokip respectively.
During the meeting, the UPF and KNO reportedly urged the Centre to withdraw the clause for safeguarding the integrity of Manipur in the SoO agreement which the Centre accepted and began talks for separate administration.
UPF convenor Aaron Kipgen said they clearly told the Centre that they would not be able to represent their people if the clause for safeguarding the integrity of Manipur in the SoO Agreement were not withdrawn, which the Centre had considered and started a dialogue for separate administration.
While discussing the issue of separate administration, Aaron Kipgen said that the UPF and KNO put up their demand for "Union Territory with legislative powers" under the Constitution of India.
He also said that they conveyed to the Centre that UPF and KNO are representatives of the Kuki-Zo people and their demand is Union Territory with legislative powers where forest and land rights will be their inherent rights.
He further pointed out that it was the first political dialogue for a separate administration where they discussed the contours or model of the separate administration.
"It is a historic moment for the Kuki-Zo people for the aged old political aspirations of the Kuki-Zo people finally taken into account", Aaron Kipgen asserted.
The next round of talk will be held in the first week of August.
The Kuki-Zo people had also held a solidarity peaceful sit-in in Kangpokpi district on July 26 in support of the UPF and KNO talks with the Centre, demanding separate administration.
