Zomi group of United Peoples Front says any solution that does not recognise and respect Zomi identity, history, culture, land, and resources is unacceptable

The Zomi group of United Peoples Front(UPF), a signatory to the SoO, has declared that any solution that does not recognise and respect Zomi identity, history, culture, land, and resources is unacceptable and the persistent efforts to undermine the Zomi in the pre and post May 3, 2023, pogrom will not deter them in their struggle for political survival.

Zomi group of UPF issued a release on November 21 stating that the recent aggressive media campaign and allegations against the Zomi in general and the Zomi groups of UPF (ZRA, Zomi Defence Volunteer(ZDV), and Zomi Revolutionary Force(ZRF) in particular as they strive for a peaceful political solution are unfounded, twisted statements and ill-intended to undermine the Zomi and derail the peace process.

The release stated that the journey of Zomi group of (UPF) towards a peaceful political solution was initiated when the Zomi Reunification Organisation(ZRO)/Zomi Revolutionary Army(ZRA)established the groundwork for the current Suspension of Operations (SoO) in Manipur by responding positively to the Indian Army's proposal to abandon armed insurgency.

Subsequently, a peaceful process for a political solution was adopted and notably, for the first time in Manipur's history, the ZRA signed the SoO agreement with the Government of India, represented by the Ministry of Defence, on 1st August 2005 in New Delhi.

In adherence to an inclusive and non-communal policy, the ZRO/ZRA assumed a proactive role in inviting other armed groups within the Zo kindred tribes. Consequently, the UPF (a non-communal name) was established in Aizawl on August 12, 2006 under the leadership of Thanglianpau President, ZRO. Subsequently, the UPF and KNO/KNA, respectively, signed Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreements with the Government of India on October 8, 2006, and a Tripartite SoO on August 22, 2008, in New Delhi, stated the release.


Since its inception, the three primary principles of the United People's Front (UPF) have been non-communal approaches, issue-based strategies, and inclusive policies. However, the Kuki groups within the UPF have exploited internal discord within ZRO/ZRA, which was orchestrated by Calvin H. (ex-Vice President ZRO) on November 10, 2018, thereby violating the established UPF principles through their engagement in divisive communal activities, it added.

Since that time, no UPF meetings, assembly, leadership elections, or spokesperson appointments have taken place. Consequently, the UPF is operationally defunct, and any actions or declarations made in its name are deemed unconstitutional, the release stated.

Stating that the government may continue to recognise the UPF and the KNO as the official conglomerates representing the SoO groups, the zomi group of UPF alleged that the UPF (Kuki groups) advocates solely for the Kuki community, whereas the UPF (Zomi groups) persists in promoting inclusive, non-communal approaches as the most effective strategy for fostering internal peace, harmony, and collective political stability.

“Without discrediting some sections of our people who continue to use colonial names (Kuki/Lushai/Chin) for convenience, we acknowledge that Zomi (also known as Zo people, Zosuan, or Zofate) is our true, original, and indigenous identity, which is embedded in our ethos, culture, traditions, and every aspect of our lives. Numerous oral and written records predating the colonial era are being researched and documented today by various scholars. 'Mizo' and 'Zomi' are interchangeable, except for their contexts. The term 'Kuki-Zo' does not represent our identity; it is a recent term created for convenience by KNO and Kuki groups of UPF only. In fact, within the purview of SoO, Kuki-Zomi-Hmar is used to refer to Soo groups” the release added.

The group reminded that the joint meeting of UPF and KNO at VTE Rengkai on June 29, 2018, unanimously decided against enforcing identity labels upon each other (a reaffirmation of the 1998 Kuki-Zomi Peace Accord).

However, the Joint Drafting team's proposal could not be pursued when Kuki groups of the UPF and KNO took a dogmatic stand on naming the Territorial Council as Kukiland Territorial Council at a meeting on July 10, 2018, at Kangpokpi.

After May 3, 2023, state-sponsored ethnic cleansing pogrom, the people's movement for Separate Administration has been consistently hampered on the identity issue and the the Core Committee on Separate Administration, the Joint Innpi, the Zo United, the Joint Student Body, etc., could not function effectively.

The Zo United (ZU) was formed by the joint meeting of all CSOS, MLA's and SoO groups in September 20, 2023 at Aizawl with the blessings of CYMA and the tasks of ZU were to streamline relief and spearhead public movements for separate administration.

Later, the Joint Meeting of SoO groups, and MLAs at Guwahati on July 17, 2024, mandated ZU as the apex CSO for political and social issues. However, in the same month, Kuki groups withdrew on communal grounds and formed KZC to espouse Kuki's identity. So KZC is not a consensus platform, it added.

“In such an unfortunate situation, the Zomi groups of UPF believe that the naming issue should not hinder the peace process, and the best model for us is the creation of Meghalaya state, where the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo communities coexist and thrive together”, the release stated .

While the KNO demanded Kuki statehood, the then UPF adopted
pragmatic approaches and proposed the Autonomous Hill State (AHS) under Art. 244A of the Indian Constitution which was within the ambit of the SoO ground rules, constitutionally valid, and fundamentally sound for the equitable development of the Hills and Valley and peaceful coexistence.

When political discussions began in 2017, the government proposed the Autonomous Territorial Council (BTC Model) based on the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. After the May 3, 2023, pogrom, the collective demand is for a UT with the Legislature (Pondicherry model) based on the clear separation established on all counts, stated the release.

The Zomi Groups of UPF added that they will continue to strive for a collective dream and until the people decide otherwise, no political agreement will be signed that does not recognise and respect Zomi identity and protect our land and resources.

The group also made an appeal to all authorities, including government entities, media representatives, brothers in arms, social media handlers and users, scholars, and researchers, to be sensible and refrain from sharing unverifier content that could derail the peace process.

The release went on to state that UPF, has been functionally defunct since 2018. The Zomi groups of UPF is not a part and parcel of UPF (which becomes Kuki UPF). In any case there is not a term call spokesperson in the Constitution which means that it is a self-appoint designation. So, in any case spokespersons can't represent the whole organisation, the group asserted.

Any press release or statement from UPF or views expressed by the so-called spokesperson do not represent Zoni group UPF nor the group endorse his views or share our opinion and stance on any issues

The Zomi Council (conglomerate of eight tribes) and its frontal organisations are civil societies of the Zomis and the ZRO/ZRA and Zomi CSOs do not recognise Kuki-Zo as their identity, nor do they support them as the official body for the movement for separate administration.
The group made it clear that in the recent Nampi Conclave held in Guwahati on November 14 and 15, 2025, neither the three Zomi groups nor the Zomi Civil Society Organisation sent a representative.

The UPF Constitution states that leaders must be informed, discussions held, and consent obtained; however, top leaders were not consulted this time, nor is the sponsorship known. Howevrer, the two spokespersons proceeded to convene a conclave without the consent of the top leaders.

As such no Zomi groups participated in or supported the recent Nampi Conclave in Guwahati on November 14-15, 2025, the release stated.

While addressing the SoO Groups, the Zomi groups of UPF should be referred to as Zomi SoO Groups or Zomi Groups of UPF. Additionally, the term 'Kuki-Zomi-Hmar'should be used when addressing all the SoO groups, it added.

The Zomi group of UPF stated that they will continue to promote non-communal and inclusive approaches and reject all forms of supremacy measures since the group want a solution that fosters mutual respect and peaceful coexistence as good neighbours with other communities.

“Despite our minor differences, the Zomi groups of UPF remain committed to collaborating with the Zo kindred tribes in a spirit of mutual respect, unity, and love” the release added