Amid ethnic tensions, Manipur Guv visits tribal-dominated Kangpokpi

In a bid to build confidence among the tribal Kuki-Zo and Zomi communities, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Saturday met key tribal groups during his visit to Kangpokpi, a Kuki-dominated district. This marked his first visit to the conflict-hit region since taking office two months ago.

Bhalla’s outreach comes amid ongoing ethnic tensions between the Kuki-Zo and the majority Meitei community, which have persisted for 22 months. His visit also follows his February 20 appeal urging youth to surrender illegal arms within a week, assuring no coercive action if they complied. On Saturday, in what is seen as a response to this call, members of the Zomi and Kuki communities voluntarily surrendered 16 weapons in Churachandpur district.

During his visit, Bhalla toured a model village in Kangpokpi, where he was welcomed by Kuki-Zo community members. He then met key civil society groups — including the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills and Thadou Inpi-General Headquarters — at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. In the presence of district officials, these groups submitted a memorandum detailing urgent humanitarian and political concerns.

The KZC’s memorandum underscored the devastating toll of the prolonged ethnic conflict — loss of lives, destruction of homes and churches and mass displacement. It also reiterated the community’s demand for a separate administration under a Union Territory with a legislature, urging the Governor to take swift action.