Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has ruled out any possibility of a separate administration for the Kuki community, asserting that the state's integrity and identity will not be compromised.
Singh vehemently dismissed the demand by Kuki groups for a separate entity, portraying himself as a staunch "defender" of Manipur's unity.
"Manipur is a small, hardworking state with a 2,000-year history of sacrifices by our forefathers. This state cannot be broken or divided. We will not allow a separate administration," Singh declared.
His remarks mark the first strong rebuttal to the calls for a separate administration for Kukis, who are primarily based in the hilly regions of the state.
On Thursday, representatives of the Kuki-Zo communities held a press conference in New Delhi, advocating for the creation of a union territory with a legislature, similar to Puducherry.
They argued that this was the only viable solution to the ongoing strife that has deeply polarised Manipur since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May last year.
Singh, a Meitei who has faced accusations from Kukis of bias towards his community, indicated his openness to a special development package for the Kuki-majority hill regions.
"We can explore possibilities through the existing autonomous councils in the hill districts, focusing on development," he said.
He also mentioned plans to appeal to the central government for a special development package, acknowledging the need for enhanced growth in the hilly areas.
Rejecting accusations of bias, Singh insisted that he governs impartially for all communities—Meiteis, Kukis, and Nagas.
The Chief Minister suggested that the state's crackdown on drugs, illegal immigrants, and forest encroachment had been misinterpreted and exploited to incite social unrest.
This unrest escalated into a full-blown ethnic conflict after a high court order favouring Scheduled Tribe status for the Meiteis. However, this order was never implemented and has since been withdrawn.
"I have always acted in the interest of Manipur and its people," Singh asserted, countering the criticism of favouritism towards his Meitei community. He noted that he had allowed the Centre to lead peace efforts through dialogue and security initiatives.
Singh expressed optimism that peace and reconciliation could be achieved within the next five to six months, with the Centre playing a decisive role in fostering ethnic harmony.
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