The ongoing dispute in Manipur regarding the "Popular Demand" of a separate administration needs to be resolved wisely, taking into consideration the protests and the concerns of minority groups.

  • The demands for a separate administration and the protection of Manipur's territorial integrity are more significant than the divisions within and between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei societies. However, achieving a separate administration will not be an easy task.

  • The current situation can be seen as a critical moment in the Kuki-Zo groups' demand for a separate administration. The widespread loss of lives, land titles, and property, as well as the unprecedented displacement of the population, indicate that the point of no return has already been reached in terms of living under a single political entity.

  • Resolving this issue may require a significant reconfiguration of the existing constitutional framework. There are three possible institutional architectures that could be considered.

  • The question remains whether the various agendas, ideas, and interests of different actors within India's multi-level federal polity align to support the creation of new institutions. This debate remains unresolved.