February 20 - Zomi Nam Ni vis-à-vis Chin National Day: An Academic Note

Introduction

Zomi Nam Ni and Chin National Day are two commemorative observances rooted in the shared historical and ethnocultural heritage of the Zo/Chin peoples inhabiting present-day Northeast India, Chin State of Myanmar, and adjoining regions. Although they emerge from the same ethnolinguistic family, their historical trajectories, political meanings, and commemorative emphases differ. This note situates the two observances within broader Zo/Chin historiography, identity formation, and nationalist discourse.

Which Indian Constitutional Provision is Best for the Kuki-Zo Community?

India’s Constitution was designed not only to govern a nation, but to accommodate its vast diversity—ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and territorial. Nowhere is this diversity more complex than in the Northeast, where communities have historically preserved distinct identities, customary governance systems, and ancestral land relationships. Within this mosaic, the Kuki-Zo community occupies a unique socio-political and geographical space, spread across hill regions and shaped by long historif migration, conflict, and resilience.

Village Groupism — The Need of the Hour for the Kuki-Zo Community

In times of uncertainty and conflict, communities often rediscover the power of collective strength. For the Kuki-Zo community, the present reality marked by displacement, fragile security, and disrupted livelihoods has made village-level solidarity not merely desirable but necessary. “Village groupism,” when understood as organised community cohesion rather than exclusionary identity politics, can serve as a practical framework for survival, resilience, and rebuilding.

Reassessing the Suspension of Operations (SoO) with Kuki Armed Groups (Presentation)

The Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement between the Government of India, the Government of Manipur, and Kuki armed organisations has functioned as a conflict-management framework rather than a conflict-resolution mechanism. While it reduced insurgent violence and created a dialogue platform, it has not produced a final political settlement after nearly two decades.

The post-2023 ethnic conflict has further strained the legitimacy and functionality of the SoO. A strategic reset is required to move from ceasefire maintenance → structured political settlement.

Losses and Gains: How the Meitei, Naga, and Kuki-Zo Communities Have Been Reshaped Since the Violence of 3 May 2023

The violence that erupted in Manipur on 3 May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has left deep scars across the state’s social, political, and psychological landscape. Beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis, the conflict has reshaped power equations, community relations, and political trajectories. While the losses are profound and visible, certain political and strategic shifts — perceived as “gains” — have also emerged for different communities. These gains, however, often come with long-term risks.

This moment in Manipur’s history is therefore not only about who suffered most, but also about how each community has been transformed.

The Kuki-Zo standpoints, present status, and possible political pathways from an analytical perspective

Since the ethnic violence of May 2023, Kuki-Zo civil bodies, MLAs, and SoO groups have converged on the political demand for “Separate Administration under the Constitution of India.” The demand was framed primarily around security failure, loss of trust in the Manipur state government, and the need for neutral governance. De facto territorial separation - buffer zones and segregated habitation has reinforced the political imagination of administrative bifurcation. Engagement preference has shifted from the state government to direct negotiation with the Union Government. Multiple constitutional models are discussed: Union Territory, Autonomous State, or expanded Sixth Schedule autonomy. Presently, there is partial administrative disengagement from state institutions in Kuki-Zo hill areas. The movement draws strength from ethnic consolidation, legislator backing, and alignment with SoO armed groups. Key constraints include Naga territorial overlaps, constitutional complexity, and Delhi’s reluctance to set precedents. Likely pathways include phased negotiations, interim autonomous arrangements, and tripartite peace accords. Overall trajectory suggests a long-term, negotiation-driven autonomy process rather than immediate territorial reorganisation.

AI in the Contemporary World: A Turning Point for Humanity

Artificial Intelligence has moved beyond the realm of science fiction and technological speculation. It now sits at the center of contemporary life, influencing how societies function, how governments govern, how economies grow, and how individuals live and work. The world today is not merely adopting AI; it is being reshaped by it.

In everyday life, AI operates quietly but powerfully. From search engines and digital payments to navigation systems and online shopping recommendations, the technology has become woven into the routines of modern living. Most users engage with AI without even realizing it, relying on its ability to predict, suggest, and automate. This invisible integration signals a profound shift: technology is no longer just a tool—it is a companion to human decision-making.

When a Drunken Brawl Becomes a Communal Flashpoint: Lessons from the Litan Incident

The recent incident in Litan, where an individual-level drunken altercation spiralled into a communal confrontation, is yet another stark reminder of how fragile the law-and-order situation remains in Manipur. What should have remained a localised dispute between individuals quickly acquired a dangerous communal colour, exposing the deep mistrust, accumulated trauma, and administrative fragility that continue to define the state’s current reality.

At its core, the episode reflects a disturbing truth: in Manipur today, even the smallest spark can ignite a wider blaze. A drunken act, a personal insult, or a momentary provocation is no longer just an isolated occurrence. It is interpreted through the lens of identity, insecurity, and historical grievance. This is not merely a failure of individuals—it is a failure of the environment in which they are forced to live.

The Danger of Communalizing Local Issues in a Tribal Mosaic Like Manipur

Manipur, often described as a miniature mosaic of tribes and communities, stands as one of India’s most culturally intricate states. Its hills and valleys are home to diverse ethnic groups, each with distinct histories, customary laws, dialects, and socio-political aspirations. This diversity, when nurtured, forms the bedrock of resilience and cultural richness. But when local issues are communalized—when individual or localized disputes are framed as conflicts between entire tribes—the consequences can be devastating.

Stipends, Ceasefires, and the Contradiction of Separate Administration Demands

In conflict-affected regions, peace is rarely a straight road. It is negotiated, fragile, and often deeply paradoxical. One such paradox confronting the public today is this: How can armed groups receive government stipends under ceasefire arrangements while simultaneously demanding separate administration or political autonomy? To many citizens, this appears contradictory - even unjust. Yet the reality is more layered.

Government stipends to armed groups do not emerge from generosity, nor are they rewards for past militancy. They are instruments of conflict management, embedded within ceasefire or Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements. Under such arrangements, armed groups agree to halt hostilities, confine themselves to designated camps, and suspend recruitment and offensive operations. In return, the state provides subsistence support - stipends, rations, and camp maintenance - to prevent cadres from returning to insurgency while political dialogue continues.