By Ms. Hoiboi Touthang, Kuki human rights activist
Published on May 3, 2026: Three years have passed since May 3, 2023. The separation between Kuki and Meitei administration has hardened into lived reality for communities across the hills. No policy or appeal has healed the pain and suffering endured by the Kuki people. The distance, both physical and political, has defined daily life across the hills.
The buffer zones that now cut across the landscape are not temporary lines drawn for convenience. They are an acknowledgment, made visible by events on the ground, that a distinct Kuki administrative space already exists. In practice, these zones outline what a state or Union Territory would look like, even before formal recognition by authorities.
From this reality, one conclusion has emerged with clarity: Kuki and Meitei cannot coexist under the same governance after years of conflict. Shared administration has produced only recurring conflict and deepened distrust between the two communities. This division is not an aspiration imposed from outside. It is the consequence of what has already occurred.
For three years, the Modi government has delayed justice and separate administration for the Kuki people despite repeated appeals and mounting evidence. This delay is a stain on India’s democracy. It stands against constitutional guarantees of protection and self-determination for all citizens. Each month without resolution compounds the loss and strengthens the demand for political recognition across Kuki villages and civil society.
Since May 3, 2023, the community has not moved back one inch from its demand for justice and dignity. Hundreds of civilian lives have been lost, and their sacrifice has become the foundation for separation from the current administration. The struggle is not for territory alone. It is for justice, dignity, and the right to self-governance under their own political setup.
We will continue until separate administration is achieved, no matter how long the process takes. For the Kuki people, justice means political recognition. Recognition means a state or Union Territory of their own, rooted in the reality of the last three years.
DISCLAIMER:This article represents the views and opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the publication. The content is intended for informational and discussion purposes. Readers are encouraged to consider multiple perspectives on the issue.
