The Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi visits ethnic-strife torn Manipur

Guwahati: The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi visited ethnic strife torn Manipur on Friday.

This is the Army Chief's first visit to the state on June 30, 2024. This is a two-day visit. Dwivedi met Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh.

Sources indicate that the Chief will be on a two-day visit to Manipur starting from August 23. Sources said, “The Chief will be reviewing the security situation as he will be meeting the senior Army ground Commanders.”


In the wake of violence Army was deployed along with Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Kudiep Singh, former Director General of the CRPF, appointed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), is serving as a security advisor to the Manipur government.

At least 226 people have been killed, 1,500 injured and 60,000 displaced since violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities on May 3 last year.

The riots began after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

Three Kuki MLAs

Three of the ten Kuki MLAs in Manipur have publicly opposed the use of the term “Kuki-Zo” to describe their community. The MLAs—Vungzagin Valte of Thanlon Assembly Constituency, Ngursanglur Sanate of Tipaimukh Assembly Constituency, and LM Khaute, a former Director-General of Police and current MLA—have expressed their disapproval, calling for a more inclusive and representative nomenclature that respects the diverse identities within their communities.

Vungzagin Valte, who represents the Thanlon Assembly Constituency, has identified himself as a member of the Paite Scheduled Tribe within the “Zomi” community. In his statement, Valte emphasized that the term “Zomi” is the most accurate expression of his people’s historical, cultural, and social identity. He voiced concerns that the label “Kuki-Zo” is non-inclusive and fails to acknowledge the distinct and unique identities of the various tribes he represents. According to Valte, this has caused significant discomfort among his constituents.

Valte reaffirmed his commitment to preserving the integrity of the collective identity of the Zomi, Kuki, and Hmar communities within his constituency. “I firmly believe that any term defining our identity must be inclusive and reflective of our diverse backgrounds. Therefore, I cannot, in good conscience, accept or endorse any term that does not respect the individuality and dignity of all the groups that form the fabric of my constituency,” Valte stated. He called for a nomenclature that unites all communities under a shared history while respecting their distinct identities.

Similarly, Ngursanglur Sanate, the MLA for Tipaimukh Assembly Constituency, released a press statement clarifying his position. Sanate expressed his commitment to the “Kuki-Zomi-Hmar” nomenclature, emphasizing that he has never endorsed, nor will he endorse, any term or platform that excludes the “Hmar” identity. His statement is a direct response to the ongoing debate over the proper terminology to describe the various tribes in Manipur. Sanate reiterated his dedication to advocating for the interests, dreams, and aspirations of all the communities within Pherzawl District, ensuring their identities are both respected and preserved.

LM Khaute, a former high-ranking police official and current MLA, also spoke out on the need for an inclusive terminology that encompasses all relevant identities within their community. Khaute highlighted that the term “Kuki-Zomi-Hmar” has consistently been used in previous press statements issued by the ten Kuki MLAs, and any attempt to exclude “Zomi” or other key identity terms would be unacceptable. “It has always been my endeavor to ensure the usage of a suitable and appropriate terminology to describe our identity,” Khaute stated, firmly rejecting any efforts to impose a narrower or exclusionary label on their diverse community.