The Kuki–Paite Conflict, also called Kuki–Zomi Conflict, was an ethnic conflict during 1997–1998 between tribal communities in Churachandpur district in Manipur, India. The conflict started when a Kuki insurgent group, KNF, mercilessly killed 10 Paite villagers of Saikul Village on June 24, 1997, which led to pitting one group that subscribed to the Kuki label against another group that subscribed to the Zomi label, the latter being led by the Paites. The conflict lasted for over a year, during which 352 people died, thousands of homes were destroyed and over 13,000 people were displaced. The Government of India sent in the Indian Army to attempt to stop the violence, but peace was restored in September–October 1998 only with the initiative of the Church.
In 1948, 21 tribes of Manipur that shared the "Kuki" label per the British nomenclature formed a joint organisation called Kuki Company based at Kuki Inn in Imphal. After the formation, however, frictions began to develop due to the predominance of the Thadou language in the grouping. As a result, some 14 tribes left the group and formed a separate Khul Union.After the rise of the United Naga Council and NSCN-IM in the 1980s, some of the tribes that had been called 'Old Kuki' in the British nomenclature quit the Kuki umbrella and joined the Naga grouping.
Seven 'New Kuki' tribes other than Thadou, stood on their own for some time, but eventually adopted the Zomi label. These six tribes, including Zou, Vaiphei, Gangte, Simte, Paite and a collection of smaller tribes that simply called themselves "Zomi", formed the Zomi Re-unification Organisation (ZRO) in 1995. For political security for the unified tribes, an armed wing called Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) was also formed by the seven tribes, which caused unease among the Kuki group. The Kuki group, which had its own armed group Kuki National Front (KNF) and used social taxes to fund it, started to levy more taxes and also demanding them from the tribes belonging to the 'Zomi' group. Thus the tribes calling themselves "Kuki" and those calling themselves "Zomi" came to loggerheads.
On 24 June 1997, KNF militants lined up 20 villagers in Saikul and shot them, killing nine and wounding four.[1]
These killings started a series of communal violence that also drew in smaller ethnic groups. Several hundred Indian soldiers were moved into Churachandpur to restore order. A peace agreement was negotiated after a few days by dignitaries from Mizoram Peace Mission, namely, Pu C. Chawngkunga, Pu H. Zathuam and Pu F. Lawmkima. It was signed by the KNF(P) and the ZRO, at Mata Dam in Churachandpur on 8 July 1997.
Two days later, KNF(P) militants invaded Mata village, breaking the agreement.
The warring parties were brought together again on 18 July 1997 to reaffirm the agreement. However, the KNF (P) then attacked Leijangphai, Tallian and Savaipaih, burning thirteen houses.
On 29 September 1998, to make amends for the Saikul massacre and to end the conflict, the Kuki Inpi invited the Zomi Council to a feast. A bull was slaughtered for the occasion and both groups shared the meal.
The next day, the Zomi Council reciprocated by inviting the Kukis to a feast. Hence, the conflict ended.
Over 50 villages were destroyed and some 13 000 people were displaced. According to official records kept by the Government of Manipur, the communal violence killed 352 persons, injured 136 and destroyed 4,670 houses.[2] The majority moved to areas surrounding the district capital of Churachandpur and Mizoram, where they were housed in makeshift refugee centres in schools, hospitals and various other buildings.