'Nampi Conclave' unifies Kuki-Zo leadership under single command
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Our Correspondent
KANGPOKPI, Nov 17: In a decisive show of unity and strategic clarity, the Kuki-Zo political and civil leadership today adopted the Nampi Conclave Declaration, a sweeping political document that consolidates the community’s Constitutional aspirations and establishes a unified command structure for all future political engagements.
The conclave—held from November 14–15, under the theme “Unity in Action: Securing Land, Legislature, and Future for the Kuki Zo People”—brought together Kuki-Zo institutions, including the Kuki Zo Council (KZC), Zomi Council (ZC), Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Kuki Inpi (KI), Kuki Chief Association (KCA), Members of the Legislative Assembly, Suspension of Operations (SoO) leadership, and key domain experts.
The Nampi Conclave Declaration, a statement of "consolidated political and Constitutional aspirations of the Kuki-Zo people", issued by the United Peoples’ Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), "marks a turning point in the organised political pursuit of a Union Territory (UT) with legislature."
Key highlights of the Nampi Conclave Declaration:
1) Strong institutional mechanisms for unified governance and engagement:
i) The declaration mandates the immediate formation of a Central Working Group—a structured mechanism to maintain continuous political coordination among KNO, UPF, KZC, and civil society.
This body will function as the strategic nerve centre of the Kuki-Zo political movement.
ii) Centralization of political mobilization
All political advocacy, mass mobilisation, and community-level campaigns shall be exclusively directed and overseen by the Kuki-Zo Council. This centralisation ends decentralised activism and replaces it with a unified, disciplined mobilisation framework—signalling a "maturing political movement".
iii) Formation of a joint political movement working committee for negotiations with Centre:
A Unified Political Movement Working Committee will now serve as the sole representative entity of both the UPF and KNO in all dialogues with the Government of India.
This committee will lead negotiations, Constitutional consultations, and all formal interactions involving political settlement. The move consolidates Kuki-Zo diplomacy under one coherent, authoritative platform.
2) Constitutional and Political objectives
iv) Affirmation of urgent Constitutional redressal:
The declaration underscores the critical necessity for the Central Government to address the long-standing grievances of the Kuki-Zo people—particularly those aggravated by prolonged displacement, violence, and "systemic marginalisation".
v) Reaffirmation of the demand for a Union Territory with legislature:
The conclave emphatically reaffirmed its core political aspiration--the establishment of a Union Territory with a dedicated legislature.
vi) Commitment to relentless pursuit until Delhi responds
In its strongest assertion, the declaration commits to a persistent, sustained, and unwavering pursuit of the UT demand until the Government of India formally acknowledges and acts upon the Kuki-Zo people’s Constitutional aspirations.
3) Historical commemoration
vii) Formal observation of “Separation Day”
The conclave resolved to commemorate May 3rd annually as "Separation Day", marking the pivotal political and communal rupture that reshaped the trajectory of the Kuki-Zo struggle. This official observance aims to preserve collective memory and reinforce political unity.
KANGPOKPI, Nov 17: In a decisive show of unity and strategic clarity, the Kuki-Zo political and civil leadership today adopted the Nampi Conclave Declaration, a sweeping political document that consolidates the community’s Constitutional aspirations and establishes a unified command structure for all future political engagements.
The conclave—held from November 14–15, under the theme “Unity in Action: Securing Land, Legislature, and Future for the Kuki Zo People”—brought together Kuki-Zo institutions, including the Kuki Zo Council (KZC), Zomi Council (ZC), Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Kuki Inpi (KI), Kuki Chief Association (KCA), Members of the Legislative Assembly, Suspension of Operations (SoO) leadership, and key domain experts.
The Nampi Conclave Declaration, a statement of "consolidated political and Constitutional aspirations of the Kuki-Zo people", issued by the United Peoples’ Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), "marks a turning point in the organised political pursuit of a Union Territory (UT) with legislature."
Key highlights of the Nampi Conclave Declaration:
1) Strong institutional mechanisms for unified governance and engagement:
i) The declaration mandates the immediate formation of a Central Working Group—a structured mechanism to maintain continuous political coordination among KNO, UPF, KZC, and civil society.
This body will function as the strategic nerve centre of the Kuki-Zo political movement.
ii) Centralization of political mobilization
All political advocacy, mass mobilisation, and community-level campaigns shall be exclusively directed and overseen by the Kuki-Zo Council. This centralisation ends decentralised activism and replaces it with a unified, disciplined mobilisation framework—signalling a "maturing political movement".
iii) Formation of a joint political movement working committee for negotiations with Centre:
A Unified Political Movement Working Committee will now serve as the sole representative entity of both the UPF and KNO in all dialogues with the Government of India.
This committee will lead negotiations, Constitutional consultations, and all formal interactions involving political settlement. The move consolidates Kuki-Zo diplomacy under one coherent, authoritative platform.
2) Constitutional and Political objectives
iv) Affirmation of urgent Constitutional redressal:
The declaration underscores the critical necessity for the Central Government to address the long-standing grievances of the Kuki-Zo people—particularly those aggravated by prolonged displacement, violence, and "systemic marginalisation".
v) Reaffirmation of the demand for a Union Territory with legislature:
The conclave emphatically reaffirmed its core political aspiration--the establishment of a Union Territory with a dedicated legislature.
vi) Commitment to relentless pursuit until Delhi responds
In its strongest assertion, the declaration commits to a persistent, sustained, and unwavering pursuit of the UT demand until the Government of India formally acknowledges and acts upon the Kuki-Zo people’s Constitutional aspirations.
3) Historical commemoration
vii) Formal observation of “Separation Day”
The conclave resolved to commemorate May 3rd annually as "Separation Day", marking the pivotal political and communal rupture that reshaped the trajectory of the Kuki-Zo struggle. This official observance aims to preserve collective memory and reinforce political unity.