Kanggui: The United People’s Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organization (KNO), the two conglomerates of Kuki Suspension of Operation (SoO) groups, have strongly refuted media reports claiming that a revised SoO agreement was signed between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Manipur government and Kuki groups.
In a joint clarification issued on 10th August 2026 vide Ref. No. 4/KNO-UPF/PR/2026, the groups termed the news report published by Northeast Now on Aug 09, 2026 IST titled ‘MHA, Manipur government and Kuki groups sign revised SoO agreement’ as fake and fallacious.
“MHA and SoO (KNO & UPF) extended the peace agreement on 4 September 2025. No further meeting has taken place on this account,” the statement clarified.
The SoO groups slammed what they called “unscrupulous agents” who at a loss to churn up news items to make their profession worthwhile have put up the fake news.
“More shocking is certain reputable Media houses have troubled themselves to feature such news items without ascertaining its veracity prior to publishing,” the statement said, expressing regret over the unnecessary commotion generated over the fallacious publication.
The groups urged readers to be most circumspect and not be swayed by such illicit news items, assuring the general public that SoO groups will as usual, post Press Statements with transparency and dignity.
On Territorial Integrity Clause:
Addressing the confusion over the ‘territorial integrity’ clause, the UPF and KNO stated that assertion of ‘territorial integrity’, other than that of the Union of India, is not only unconstitutional, but also seditious.
However, the groups clarified that in 2008, at the signing of the tripartite SoO agreement among Government of India, KNO-UPF and Government of Manipur, the clause was inserted in the Preamble, anomalously, at the insistence of the majoritarian-led government of Manipur.
“It may be noted that at the time of signing the peace agreement, i.e. 2008, pre-3 May 2023, the clause served no legal purpose other than to appease the majoritarian community. SoO political demand for Territorial Council was consistent with preservation of the state’s integrity,” the joint statement added.
The Separate Administration Demand
It is worth mentioning that following the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, the political demand of the Kuki groups has shifted significantly. While the pre-2023 demand under SoO talks was for greater autonomy in the form of a Territorial Council within the state of Manipur, post-violence, KNO and UPF have been demanding a Separate Administration in the form of Union Territory with legislature for the Kuki people.
The Kuki leaders argue that separation is the only solution as living together with the Meitei community under one administration is no longer possible after the complete geographical and emotional separation of the two communities. The demand is now pending political dialogue with the Centre.
The clarification was signed by Information & Publicity Wing of KNO and UPF.
