Written by Lamkholal Doungle and Avik Chakraborty
Dibrugarh: The Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed on March 15, 2026, between the Government of Assam and Kuki Suspension of Operations (SoO) groups marked a new phase in efforts to resolve insurgency-related issues involving Kuki militant organisations in the state.
The agreement was signed with the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), United Kuki Gam Defence Army (UKDA), Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) and the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) [HPC(D)].
Soon after the agreement was signed, several organisations in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao raised objections to certain provisions of the settlement.
The opposition centred on issues related to representation, autonomy and the proposed welfare and development councils.
The demand for a Kuki Tribes Autonomous Regional Council (KTARC) dates back to the early 1990s.
The demand gained organised support in 1992 with the formation of the Kuki National Assembly (KNA), which sought a separate Regional Council within Karbi Anglong under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Official assessments during the 1990s noted concerns raised by Kuki groups regarding development, representation and participation in decision-making within the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).
Kuki organisations have also maintained that the community has limited representation in the KAAC.
The issue gained further attention in 2000 when a faction of the Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) expressed support in principle for a separate autonomous arrangement for the Kukis.
The development was followed by opposition from some Karbi organisations and militant groups.
The Kuki-Karbi clashes of 2003-2004 affected relations between the communities and reduced the visibility of the KTARC demand.
However, the demand continued to be raised by Kuki groups during subsequent negotiations with the government.
Kuki organisations have argued that their demand is based on provisions of the Sixth Schedule, which allows for the creation of autonomous regions and Regional Councils for distinct Scheduled Tribes within an autonomous district.
They have also cited the example of the former Pawi-Lakher Regional Council in present-day Mizoram, which later evolved into separate autonomous councils for the Lai, Mara and Chakma communities.
The current MoS followed years of negotiations after Kuki militant groups entered into a Suspension of Operations agreement with the government in 2012. Discussions subsequently involved the Centre, the Assam Government and the Kuki SoO groups.
Under the 2026 agreement, the demand for a Kuki Territorial or Regional Council was not included. Instead, the settlement provides for the creation of a Kuki Welfare and Development Council (KWDC).
Following the signing of the agreement, organisations in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao expressed concerns regarding the impact of the proposed councils on existing autonomous council structures, including the KAAC and the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC).
The Assam Government later stated that the proposed councils would not affect the territorial jurisdiction, demographic composition or political representation of the Karbi and Dimasa communities.
According to the government, the Kuki and Hmar Welfare and Development Councils are intended to function as socio-economic and cultural bodies.
The debate over the MoS has continued in parts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, with different groups expressing varying views on the agreement and its implementation.
The success of the settlement is expected to depend on its implementation and acceptance among stakeholders in the region.