Songpi: The Kuki National Army under the Government of Kukiland has announced a new organisational set-up following its general meeting held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
In an official release issued from the Office of the KNA with Reference Number ZG/03-CA/Man-26 and signed by Chairman Dr. S Haokip, the outfit said the meeting was convened to discuss the future course and strengthening of the organisation.
The statement also conveyed greetings to all allied organisations and appealed to the public and cadres to extend cooperation to the newly assigned office bearers for smooth functioning.
The reorganisation comes at a politically significant time for the Kuki armed groups.
According to the release, the general body has approved the following assignment of responsibilities for effective functioning:
1. Dr Seilen Haokip, Chairman
2. SL Kuki, Home Secretary
3. TS Kuki, Defence Secretary
4. Brave Kuki, C in C
5. Letkhogin Kuki, Dy C in C
6. Stephen Kuki, Information and Publicity Secretary
7. LS Kuki, Finance Secretary
8. Robert Kuki, Organising Secretary
9. K Janglal Kuki, External Affairs Secretary
10. Rockson Kuki, Advisor
11. Hemjasei alias Jonathan Kuki, Custom and Culture Secretary
The KNA is the armed wing of the Kuki National Organisation. Together with the United Peoples Front, it represents 23 to 25 underground groups that first signed the Suspension of Operations agreement with the Government of India and the Government of Manipur in 2008. More than 2,200 cadres are currently housed in designated camps in the hill districts of Manipur including Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel and Tengnoupal.
The SoO agreement lapsed in February 2024 during the height of the ethnic violence that began on May 3, 2023. After months of deadlock, it was renewed on September 4, 2025 for one year on revised ground rules.
Under the renegotiated pact, KNO and UPF have agreed to uphold the territorial integrity of Manipur, abjure violence, relocate seven designated camps away from vulnerable areas and national highways, reduce the number of camps, place weapons under double lock with central forces for verification and submit cadres for physical verification with Aadhaar linked registration. A Joint Monitoring Group has been constituted to oversee implementation.
In return, security forces will not launch operations against the groups as long as they abide by the ground rules. The Centre has also assured a structured and time bound tripartite political dialogue.
The core political demand of KNO and UPF remains unchanged. Both umbrella groups have reaffirmed that they will pursue the creation of a Union Territory with Legislature for the Kuki people within the Constitution of India. Earlier the demand was for a territorial council with autonomy within Manipur, but after the 2023 violence the groups upgraded it to Union Territory status.
The groups have said future dialogue with New Delhi will focus solely on this demand. The Kuki Council and ten Kuki MLAs have also resolved that only the SoO groups will lead political negotiations with the Centre.
While relative calm has returned to Manipur after more than 260 deaths and displacement of over 60,000 people, ground level tensions continue over issues of separate administration, free movement on National Highway 2 and return of displaced persons to their native villages.
