New Delhi: In a key political development, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) held a two-day round of talks with Kuki-Zo armed groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement on November 6 and 7, focusing on the community’s long-standing demand for Union Territory status with a Legislative Assembly.

The discussions took place in New Delhi, with delegations from the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF), led by senior leaders of both umbrella bodies. The Centre was represented by A.K. Mishra, Advisor (Northeast) to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Sources said the meetings reviewed the existing ground situation in Manipur and explored possible political and administrative frameworks to address the aspirations of the Kuki-Zo community.

The Kuki-Zo groups, which have been in a truce with the government under the SoO pact since 2008, have consistently maintained that a separate administrative arrangement is essential to ensure peace, security, and political representation for their people in Manipur.

Officials described the talks as part of an ongoing engagement aimed at finding a negotiated and lasting solution to the issues concerning the hill districts and the Kuki-Zo population. Further rounds of discussion are expected in the coming weeks.