Kuki-Zo groups demand reimposition of President’s Rule in Manipur

Kuki-Zo groups are asking the Indian government to reimpose President’s Rule in Manipur. They say this would improve the safety, security, and dignity of their community. They also claim that no Kuki-Zo civilian was killed during the previous period of Central rule, which ended in February 2026.

The Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum said 32 Kuki-Zo people, including two pregnant women and 10 other women, had been killed since March. It attributed the deaths to members of NSCN-IM and ZUF-Kamson. The Forum also said around 55 houses in 14 Kuki-Zo villages were burnt. Groups blamed continued violence involving Kuki-Zo, Naga, and Meitei communities.

The demand also reflects wider political frustration. Kuki-Zo organisations want a separate administration and say the current system no longer commands their confidence. They describe shortages and blocked supplies in several areas, with essential goods becoming unaffordable. Their proposed political settlement is a Union Territory with a legislature, rather than simply renewed Central rule.

President’s Rule is a constitutional arrangement under which the Union government assumes control of a state’s administration. It can be imposed under Article 356 when the President is satisfied that the state government cannot function according to the Constitution. The elected state council of ministers is removed, and the Governor administers the state on the President’s behalf.

During this period, Parliament can make laws for the state, or authorise another body to do so. The state Legislative Assembly may be suspended or dissolved. The state’s High Court continues to function, because President’s Rule does not transfer judicial powers to the Union government. These details come from established constitutional knowledge, not the article’s description.

In Manipur, President’s Rule was imposed on February 13, 2025, and revoked on February 4, 2026. Kuki-Zo groups say no member of their community was killed during that period. They now want Central rule restored because violence resumed or continued after its withdrawal.

The Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum, Delhi, reported that at least 32 Kuki-Zo people had been killed since March 2026. The victims reportedly included two pregnant women and 10 other women. These figures are claims by the Forum, and the article attributes the violence to members of NSCN-IM and ZUF-Kamson.

The Forum also said around 55 houses in 14 Kuki-Zo villages had been burnt during the same period. That damage represents more than individual loss. Burning homes can displace residents, disrupt village life, and deepen fear in areas already affected by ethnic conflict. The article does not give a separate figure for homes completely destroyed, so “burnt” is the precise description.

The reported deaths and property damage are central to the groups’ demand for renewed President’s Rule. They say Central rule previously brought greater safety for Kuki-Zo civilians. The figures also support their broader argument that Manipur needs a political settlement, including a separate administration for the community.

Manipur was placed under President’s Rule on February 13, 2025. It remained in force for about a year before being revoked on February 4, 2026. During that period, administration was under Central rule rather than the normal elected state government arrangement. Kuki-Zo groups say no Kuki-Zo civilian was killed while it was in force.

The article describes fresh Kuki-Naga violence beginning on February 7, only three days after President’s Rule was revoked. The Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum then counted at least 32 Kuki-Zo deaths from March onward. It also reported around 55 houses burnt in 14 villages and blamed NSCN-IM and ZUF-Kamson members.

The timeline explains why the groups want Central rule restored. They connect the return of violence with the post-February transition, although the article reports their claim rather than independently establishing causation. The broader Meitei-Kuki-Zo conflict began on May 3, 2023, and has killed more than 350 people, according to the article.

Violence and alleged economic embargoes have sharply affected daily life in Kuki-Zo areas. Ginza Vualzong said prices of essential commodities had gone beyond ordinary people’s reach in Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, Kamjong, and parts of Noney and Tamenglong. The article presents these figures as claims made by the Kuki-Zo Council spokesperson.

He said residents of Chassad and Aishi villages faced an economic embargo. Supplies to villages in the Kotlen and Leilon areas of Kangpokpi were reportedly obstructed. He also accused the United Naga Council of blocking goods bound for Kangpokpi town at Namdilong and Senapati. As a result, petrol reportedly reached ₹250 a litre and LPG cylinders ₹5,000.

These conditions affect transport, cooking, farming, and access to markets. They also show how conflict can harm people without direct attacks on homes or civilians. Kuki-Zo groups say the restrictions strengthen their case for renewed President’s Rule and a political settlement. The article does not independently verify the blockade allegations or prices.

Kuki-Zo organisations are seeking a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory with a legislature. They argue that prolonged ethnic conflict has eroded their confidence in Manipur’s existing administrative arrangement. This proposal goes beyond their immediate demand for President’s Rule, which would be temporary Central control.

A Union Territory is administered mainly through the Union government, but one with a legislature can also have elected representatives making laws on specified subjects. Its powers depend on the constitutional and legal framework created for that territory. It would therefore be a distinct administrative unit, rather than a community remaining under Manipur’s single state government. These institutional details come from established Indian constitutional knowledge.

The article does not set out the proposed territory’s boundaries or exact powers. It says the demand is linked to the continuing Meitei-Kuki-Zo conflict and newer Naga-Kuki-Zo clashes. Kuki-Zo representatives describe a political settlement as necessary because they say security measures alone cannot resolve Manipur’s problems.

India has a federal system with powers divided between the Union government and state governments. The Constitution assigns subjects to Union, State, and Concurrent Lists. The Union handles matters such as defence and foreign affairs, states manage many local and public-order matters, and both levels can legislate on Concurrent List subjects. This constitutional framework is broader than the article’s discussion.

Normally, an elected state government runs the state, while the Governor serves as the constitutional head. Under Article 356, the President may impose President’s Rule if satisfied that the state government cannot function according to the Constitution. The state ministry can be dismissed, the Assembly suspended or dissolved, and administration carried on through the Governor on behalf of the Union.

Parliament then makes laws for the state or authorises another body to do so. The arrangement is intended as an exceptional response to constitutional breakdown, not ordinary administration. In Manipur, the article records President’s Rule from February 13, 2025, until February 4, 2026, amid continuing ethnic violence.