Mari Blogga

Kukiland Demand: Preserving Culture and Pursuing Autonomy in Manipur The demand for a separate Kuki homeland has once again come to the forefront as Manipur's 10 Kuki-Zomi MLAs have sought a separate administration under the Indian Constitution. This demand follows recent clashes between the Kuki-Zomi tribes and the majority Meitei community, resulting in tragic loss of lives. In this article, we explore the historical, cultural, and socio-economic reasons behind the demand for a Kuki homeland and shed light on the complexities of the situation in Manipur. Background The call for a separate Kuki homeland dates back to the late 1980s when the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), the first and largest Kuki-Zomi insurgent group, was formed. Since then, the demand has surfaced intermittently. In 2012, with the acceptance of the demand for a separate Telangana state, the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) announced a movement for Kukiland. Territory and Demands The KSDC claim