As talks with MHA fail, Manipur Kuki groups mull referendum over UT demand

After the failure of their talks with a visiting Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) delegation, various Kuki groups in Manipur are learnt to be considering going in for referendum to seek union territory status for tribal-dominated areas of the state.

While no concrete proposal was on the table currently, sources said much would depend on the outcome of the second round of talks with the Centre. They said the referendum proposal was also discussed during the first round on March 11.

The sources said the Kuki groups opted to consider the referendum option after Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s directives to the Manipur administration that the demand for a separate UT was “non-negotiable”. The Tribune had last week exclusively reported on Shah’s view on the matter.

The referendum idea is learnt to have been picked from neighbouring Nagaland, which came into being following a plebiscite in 1951. The Nagas had then sought a separate nation, but settled for a new state. In Manipur’s case, the Kukis believe they would only have to vote for the creation of a UT comprising the tribal-majority areas.

Meanwhile, the shutdown announced on March 8 by Kuki bodies against the Centre’s decision to open all roads in Manipur continued on Thursday. Residents of Keithelmanbi village gathered to pay their last respects to Lalgouthang Singsit, a member of the Kuki-Zo community who had died during protests against the opening of all roads on March 8.