New Delhi: The Kuki Women’s Forum, Delhi and NCR, has demanded immediate re-imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur. At a day-long conference on the Manipur conflict held in Delhi on Thursday, the forum unanimously passed a resolution saying the elected government formed on February 4, 2026, has failed to protect civilian lives and maintain law and order in hill areas. It urged the Union government to take direct charge of the state until Kuki villages are secured.
The forum is headed by convenor Chong Haokip. It said more than 60,000 Kuki people displaced since May 3, 2023, are still living in relief camps and cannot return home due to insecurity. It alleged that after President’s Rule was lifted in February this year, attacks on Kuki villages have resumed, especially in border areas of Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel.
A key issue raised was the appointment of Ajit Lal as Adviser (Northeast) by Ministry of Home Affairs. Lal is a retired 1974-batch IPS officer, former Special Director of Intelligence Bureau and former Chairman of Joint Intelligence Committee. He has been given charge of Naga peace talks and talks with Kuki groups under Suspension of Operations (SoO). Professor Robert Haokip of JNU, who addressed the conference, did not question Lal’s record but asked why the appointment was made at a time when attacks on Kuki civilians have increased. He demanded clarity from MHA on how Kuki talks will be handled.
The forum alleged that armed Naga groups including NSCN-IM and ZUF-K are involved in violence against Kuki people. It claimed 26 Kuki people were killed between March 11 and September 15, 2026, in different incidents. It specifically mentioned abduction and killing of Kuki men in Ukhrul district and demanded arrest and prosecution of those involved. It said FIRs have been filed but no strong action has been taken so far.
On the political demand, the forum reiterated the long-standing demand of Kuki people for a separate administration. Since May 2023, Kuki MLAs, Kuki Inpi, Kuki Students Organisation, ITLF, CoTU and other bodies have been demanding a separate state or Union Territory with legislature for Kuki-dominated areas, comprising Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Pherzawl, Tengnoupal and parts of Chandel. The demand is also referred to as Kukiland by supporters. The forum said Kuki and Meitei cannot live together under one government after the total separation that has happened since 2023.
Kuki groups are part of SoO agreement with Centre since 2008. Twenty-five armed groups under KNO and UPF are signatories. Talks for a political settlement have been going on but no breakthrough has come. Kuki leaders want the Centre to give a Union Territory with legislature like Puducherry as a political solution. They say Article 371C and Hill Areas Committee have failed to protect Kuki interests and only a separate administration can ensure safety and development.
The Centre has so far said it will protect Manipur’s territorial integrity and also look into genuine concerns of all communities. With new Naga outfit NSCN/PRN forming on September 10 and ongoing Naga talks, the hill districts have become more complex where Kuki and Naga villages are close to each other. The forum said clubbing Naga and Kuki talks under one Adviser may dilute Kuki aspirations and demanded separate handling of Kuki political dialogue.
The forum said President’s Rule imposed on February 13, 2025, after Biren Singh resigned, was more effective in managing relief camps and controlling violence. It alleged that after Y Khemchand Singh became Chief Minister, the state machinery has failed to act neutrally. It demanded central forces be deployed in all vulnerable Kuki villages, free movement of essential goods be ensured, and killings be probed by an independent agency.
The conference ended with three resolutions – re-impose President’s Rule, secure Kuki villages with central forces, and give a time-bound roadmap for separate administration under SoO talks. The resolution will be sent to Prime Minister, Home Minister and National Commission for Women.
