A tribal organisation based in Manipur's Churachandpur district has strongly objected to the activities of the Kuki Zo Council in areas predominantly inhabited by the Zomi community.
On Tuesday, the Zomi Council, the apex body representing the Zomi tribe, issued a statement urging the Kuki Zo Council—a civil society organisation representing indigenous people—not to operate within Zomi-majority regions, asserting that it does not recognise the legitimacy of the term "Kuki Zo."
The Zomi Council expressed concern over reports that certain central government authorities had extended an invitation to a specific civil society group from the Manipur hills to hold informal discussions about reopening national highways to allow free access. The council warned that any such talks must include the Zomi Council and its allied organisations. It stated that any decision made without their involvement would be deemed "obsolete and untenable."
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Referring to a previous stance taken in May 2024, the Zomi Council reiterated that it had already rejected "Kuki Zo" as a legitimate collective identity. It declared that any organisation using the name "Kuki-Zo Council" is not recognised and is therefore unwelcome in all Zomi-inhabited territories—specifically highlighting Churachandpur district and Lamka township.
The council also called upon the Kuki-Zo Council to restrict its activities and establish offices only in areas where its identity and presence are accepted by local communities. The Zomi Council reiterated that it would support its nine constituent tribes and remain committed to preserving their safety, honor, and general well-being.
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