Scribd
Upload
105 views2 pages

Who Are ZOMI

The Government of India is seeking to conclude peace talks with 23 Kuki and Zomi groups in Manipur, which has a complex history of ethnic tensions among its communities. The Kuki and Zomi groups have formed various organizations in response to perceived threats from the Naga community, leading to a Suspension of Operations agreement in 2008 aimed at fostering peace. Manipur's population is divided into three main ethnic communities: Meiteis, Nagas, and Kuki-Chins, each with distinct cultural identities and historical grievances.

Uploaded by

T Suan Lian Tonsing
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
105 views2 pages

Who Are ZOMI

The Government of India is seeking to conclude peace talks with 23 Kuki and Zomi groups in Manipur, which has a complex history of ethnic tensions among its communities. The Kuki and Zomi groups have formed various organizations in response to perceived threats from the Naga community, leading to a Suspension of Operations agreement in 2008 aimed at fostering peace. Manipur's population is divided into three main ethnic communities: Meiteis, Nagas, and Kuki-Chins, each with distinct cultural identities and historical grievances.

Uploaded by

T Suan Lian Tonsing
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Kuki and Zomi Group

drishtiias.com/printpdf/kuki-and-zomi-group

The Government of India is looking at concluding peace talks with the 23 Kuki and Zomi
groups in Manipur.

Background
Manipur was a princely state before merging with the Indian Union on 15 th
October 1949. It has been inhabited by ethnic communities including Nagas, Kukis
and Meiteis.
Merger of Manipur and the delay in the conferring of full fledged statehood (granted
in 1972) to it was greatly resented by the people of Manipur.
Separate aspirations and perceived insecurity regarding overlapping claims over
natural resources led various ethnic communities move apart.
Following ethnic clashes between the Nagas and Kukis in the early 1990s, a number of
Kuki outfits were formed as a means to counter Naga hegemony and assertion.
Consequently, Kuki National Front (KNF) was formed in 1998.
The areas in Manipur which National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Issac
Muivah - NSCN - IM (formed in 1988) is demanding be merged with Nagaland
as part of greater Nagalim included large areas of Kuki inhabitancy.
Meanwhile, Zomi Reunification Army (ZRA) was formed in 1997 whose objective is
to protect the interests of the Paite community from the 'onslaught of any community
or group'.
However in 2008, 20 militant groups related to Kukis and Zomis under two umbrella
organizations, Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF)
signed Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Government of India
and Government of Manipur. The agreement aims to discuss demands put forward by
the extremist groups and bring peace in Manipur.

Ethnic Communities in Manipur

1/2
The people of Manipur are grouped into three main ethnic communities - Meiteis
those inhabiting the valley and 29 major tribes in the hills dividing into two main
ethno-denominations, namely Nagas and Kuki-Chins.
The Naga group consists of Zeliangrong, Tangkhul, Mao, Maram, Maring and Tarao.
The Chin-Kuki group consists of Gangte, Hmar, Paite, Thadou, Vaiphei, Zou, Aimol,
Chiru, Koireng, Kom, Anal, Chothe, Lamgang, Koirao, Thangal, Moyon and Monsang.
The term Chin is used for the people in the neighboring Chin state of Myanmar
whereas Chins are called Kukis in the Indian side. Other groups like Paite, Zou,
Gangte, and Vaiphei identify themselves as Zomi and have distanced themselves
from the name, Kuki.
It should be noted that all the different ethnic groups are of the same Mongoloid
group, and have very close similarities in their culture and traditional habits.
However, Meiteis differ culturally from the surrounding hill tribes by following Hindu
customs.
The legend of all tribes including Meiteis claim that they originated somewhere in the
north from a cave.

Source: IE

2/2

You might also like