Guwahati, Sept. 3 -- The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has urged the Centre to expedite the political process for granting Union Territory status with a legislature to the Kuki-Zo people, saying the prolonged ethnic conflict has led to a breakdown of governance and trust in Manipur.

In a counter-representation to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the KIM rejected allegations recently made against the Kuki-Zo community and Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen by a group of Naga legislators. It termed the allegations unfounded and warned that heightened rhetoric could further strain the security situation in the state.

The Kuki body alleged that Kuki-Zo civilians in mixed and border areas had faced road blockades, harassment and isolation since the...