What Happened
- The peace deal between the Centre and Kuki-Zo-Hmar armed groups in Manipur has entered its final stage, with an understanding reached on feasible terms.
- The proposed framework is modelled on the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) agreement signed on 5 February 2026 between the Centre, Nagaland government, and the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO).
- Rather than granting the Kuki-Zo demand for a separate Union Territory with legislature, the deal proposes enhanced autonomy for Manipur's hill districts through amendments to Article 371C of the Constitution.
- The deal would grant administrative powers, financial authority, and legislative powers over local customs to hill-area bodies, going beyond the existing Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971.
- Negotiations involve Kuki-Zo groups operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) framework, primarily the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF), representing 25 armed groups.
Static Topic Bridges
Article 371C: Special Provision for Manipur
Article 371C was inserted into the Constitution by the Twenty-seventh Amendment Act, 1971, following Manipur's transition from a Union Territory to a full State on 21 January 1972. It provides for a Hill Areas Committee within the Manipur Legislative Assembly, composed exclusively of MLAs elected from the hill constituencies.
- The President may prescribe the constitution and functions of the Hill Areas Committee and modifications to the rules of business and procedure of the State Assembly.
- The Governor has a special responsibility to secure the proper functioning of this committee and must submit annual reports to the President on hill area administration.
- The Union executive power extends to issuing directions to the State regarding administration of hill areas.
- The "Hill Areas" are defined as areas declared by Presidential order, covering the tribal-majority hill districts surrounding the Imphal Valley.
Connection to this news: The Kuki-Zo peace deal proposes amending Article 371C or adding a new chapter to it, granting legislative, administrative, and financial powers to hill-area bodies. Currently, Article 371C provides only for a Hill Areas Committee and Governor oversight, which tribal groups consider inadequate. The amendment would bring 371C closer in scope to Article 371A (Nagaland), which offers more extensive protections for customary laws and resources.
Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement
The Suspension of Operations agreement is a tripartite ceasefire pact signed on 22 August 2008 between the Government of India, the Manipur state government, and Kuki armed groups. It was designed to halt hostilities and create conditions for political dialogue.
- Two umbrella organisations are signatories: the Kuki National Organisation (KNO, 17 groups) and the United People's Front (UPF, 8 groups), covering a total of 25 armed groups.
- Under the agreement, security forces cease operations against signatory groups, who in turn confine their cadres to designated camps.
- Arms are deposited in safe rooms under a double-locking system; groups retain weapons only for camp security and leader protection.
- Signatory groups must abide by the Constitution of India and respect the territorial integrity of Manipur.
- A Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) with representatives from all parties oversees compliance.
- The agreement is renewed annually, subject to review of compliance.
- In March 2023, the Manipur government withdrew from the SoO framework amid ethnic tensions, though the Centre continued to honour it.
Connection to this news: The SoO groups are the primary negotiating parties in the Kuki-Zo peace deal. The SoO framework, originally intended as a stepping stone to political dialogue, is now evolving toward a permanent political settlement modelled on the FNTA. The deal would represent the culmination of nearly two decades of the SoO ceasefire process.
Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) as a Model for Devolved Autonomy
The FNTA was established through a tripartite agreement signed on 5 February 2026 between the Centre, the Nagaland government, and the ENPO. It grants enhanced autonomy to six eastern Nagaland districts (Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, and Shamator) representing eight Naga tribes.
- The authority has legislative and executive powers over 46 subjects transferred from the State Government.
- It is governed by a 49-member body with 40 elected members and 9 nominated by the Governor.
- A mini-secretariat headed by an Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary-level officer supports administration.
- Development funds are allocated proportionate to the region's population and geographical area, with the Union Home Ministry covering initial establishment costs.
- The agreement preserves Article 371A protections for Naga customary laws, land ownership, and resource management.
Connection to this news: The Kuki-Zo deal is explicitly modelled on the FNTA framework. However, a key challenge lies in the difference between Article 371A (Nagaland) and Article 371C (Manipur): the former already provides extensive constitutional protections for customary laws and resources, while the latter is limited to a Hill Areas Committee. This is why the Kuki-Zo deal requires amending Article 371C to create equivalent constitutional safeguards.
Northeast India Peace Accords: A Pattern of Devolved Autonomy
Since 2014, the Centre has pursued a strategy of ending insurgencies through negotiated settlements that offer devolved autonomy within existing state boundaries rather than creating new states or Union Territories.
- Bodo Accord (January 2020): Redrew and renamed the Bodoland Territorial Area District as the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) in Assam; 4,881 cadres surrendered.
- Karbi Anglong Accord (September 2021): Ended decades-old militancy in Assam's Karbi Anglong; 1,926 cadres joined the mainstream.
- NLFT Peace Pact (August 2019): Settlement with the National Liberation Front of Tripura; 88 cadres surrendered with 44 arms.
- Bru Agreement (2020): Permanent settlement of 6,959 Bru families in Tripura with a financial package.
- FNTA Agreement (February 2026): Autonomous authority for six eastern Nagaland districts.
- Overall impact: Militancy incidents in the Northeast have declined by 74% compared to 2014; deaths of security forces and civilians dropped by 60% and 84% respectively.
Connection to this news: The Kuki-Zo deal fits the Centre's established template of negotiating autonomy arrangements that stop short of bifurcation. However, the Kuki-Zo demand for a separate Union Territory with legislature remains unmet, with the Centre explicitly stating that its current policy does not support creating new Union Territories. The FNTA model represents the maximum autonomy the Centre is willing to offer within existing state boundaries.
Key Facts & Data
- Article 371C was inserted by the 27th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1971, effective from Manipur's statehood on 21 January 1972.
- The SoO agreement (2008) covers 25 armed groups under two umbrella bodies: KNO (17 groups) and UPF (8 groups).
- The FNTA covers six eastern Nagaland districts with a 49-member governing body and powers over 46 devolved subjects.
- Manipur's hill areas constitute approximately 90% of the state's geographical area but only 43% of its population.
- The Imphal Valley (approximately 10% of area) holds 57% of the population, predominantly Meitei.
- Kuki-Zo groups have consistently demanded a separate Union Territory with legislature, modelled on Puducherry; the Centre has rejected this, offering enhanced autonomy instead.
- Twelve peace accords have been signed in the Northeast since 2014, with over 10,900 youth surrendering arms across the region.
- Manipur's existing Autonomous District Councils under the 1971 Act are limited to personal matters (marriage, divorce, social customs) and lack legislative or financial teeth.