Imphal: Kuki-Zo community, under the banner of Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers—Eastern Zone, have warned Meitei community not to enter or access Kuki-Zo villages while attempting to attend Shirui Lily Festival to be held for six days in Ukhrul district of Manipur.
After a two-year hiatus due to the Meitei-Kuki conflict in Manipur that erupted on May 3, 2023, the state government scheduled the 5th edition of the Shirui Lily Festival to be held in Ukhrul as the first state-level festival organised outside Imphal city.
“The Kuki-Zo community continues to carry the profound pain and trauma of the tragic events that unfolded beginning May 3, 2023 … until justice is duly served and a durable solution—through the establishment of a separate administrative arrangement—is realized for our people, we must resolutely prohibit any individual from the Meitei community from entering or accessing our villages or territories, including for the purposes of attending the Siroi Lily Festival,” the Kuki-Zo body said in a statement released on May 11.
The State Tourism Department launched the festival in 2017 to raise awareness and promote the conservation of Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae), a rare and endangered flower species that blooms only on Shirui Peak in Shirui village of Ukhrul, located approximately 95 km from Imphal. The last edition was held in 2022, but the event was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent ethnic unrest in the state.
As part of efforts to ensure accessibility, the government will provide public transportation from Imphal to Ukhrul, marking the third such initiative aimed at restoring inter-district mobility. The Kuki-Zo group’s statement said, “We strongly advise all members of the Meitei community to refrain from entering or crossing our areas at any time. Just as we continue to uphold and respect the boundaries and integrity of their territories, we expect the same in return. Any violation of these directives will be considered intentional, and individuals shall bear responsibility for any consequences that may follow.” The group also appealed to the Naga community, particularly the Tangkhul sub-tribe, to understand and cooperate with their stance.
On May 8, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired the second organizing committee meeting for the festival at Raj Bhavan, Imphal. Manipur State Transport issued a notice on May 6 announcing dedicated bus services from Imphal to Ukhrul between May 20 and May 24. This was the third attempt by the Manipur government to operate MST buses in conflict-affected regions. The first attempt in December 2024 failed as no passengers availed of the service. A second attempt in March 2025, following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s directive for free movement across all state roads, was disrupted by Kuki-Zo groups who blocked MST buses at Kangpokpi. The confrontation resulted in violent clashes, leaving one dead and injuring over 40 persons.
Kuki-Zo groups have consistently warned that Meiteis will not be allowed to enter Kuki-Zo dominated areas until their demand for a ‘Separate Administration’ in the form of a Union Territory is fulfilled.
