Photo Courtesy: Representative Image
Imphal: The Zomi Students' Federation – General Headquarters (ZSF-GHQ) has come out with a categorical assertion that it recognises only the "Zomi" identity and wants nothing to do with the "Kuki-Zo" terminology or the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), a stance that sharpens the ongoing debate over nomenclature and community representation in the region.
In a press release issued from its headquarters here on Thursday, the student body made it clear that it neither recognises nor endorses the KZC. It went a step further to say that any projection of the KZC as an organisation representing both Kuki and Zomi communities is essentially a "failed attempt" by the council to broaden its base.
"The projection of the organisation as being constituted by different communities from the Kukis and Zomis is a result of the failed attempt by KZC to project themselves as such," the federation stated, adding that terms such as "Kuki-Zo" and "Kacha Naga" are "not acceptable" to it.
The student body, which functions as a frontal organisation of the Zomi Council (ZC) described in the release as the apex body of all Zomi tribes, anchored its position in a resolution passed by the Council at its Annual General Assembly in 2024. That resolution, numbered Resolution No. 1, had already rejected "Kuki-Zo" as a legitimate identity marker.
Given the Council's "unambiguous stand," the ZSF-GHQ said it stands "firmly for the terminology of 'Zomi'" and does not associate with any other organisation or their preferred terminologies.
Beyond the identity question, the federation also struck a note of concern over the safety of Zomi people in districts outside their immediate strongholds. It said it would "go to any extent" to ensure the security of Zomis in other districts and appealed to all stakeholders to ensure their protection. The statement underscored that the Zomi community is "peace loving" and is "in no way involved in any of the ongoing conflicts."
The press release, issued by the federation's Information and Publicity Wing and signed under reference ZSF-GHQ/IPW/2026(25) dated 26th June, 2026.
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