Kuki groups warn MLAs against joining Manipur government, call shutdown

Several Kuki organisations in Manipur have warned their MLAs against joining the new government and announced protests and shutdowns, opposing the participation of community leaders amid continuing ethnic tensions between Kuki and Meitei groups

Imphal: Several Kuki groups in Manipur have warned community legislators against participating in government formation in the northeastern state, calling for a “total shutdown” in Churachandpur and protest demonstrations at several places.

BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday became the 13th Chief Minister of Manipur, nearly a year after the resignation of BJP leader N Biren Singh, following months of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities that led to the imposition of President’s Rule.

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Nemcha Kipgen, a BJP MLA from the Kuki community, and Naga People’s Front legislator L Dikho took oath as deputy chief ministers.

Reacting to the development, the Joint Forum of Seven (JF7), a tribal organisation based in Churachandpur district, called for a “total shutdown” in Kuki-Zo-dominated areas from 6 am to 6 pm on Friday.

It urged community members to join protests across villages in a democratic manner, reiterating the demand for a separate Kuki administration.

The Kuki Zo Council said any community MLA who disregards its collective decision would be doing so in an individual capacity, and the organisation would not be held accountable for consequences arising from such “unilateral decisions”.

Some Kuki militant groups have also issued strong warnings to MLAs from the community against participating in government formation.

On Wednesday night, agitators burnt tyres and placed bamboo sticks on roads near Leimakhong in Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district to protest against Nemcha Kipgen’s swearing-in as deputy CM.

The Kuki Liberation Army (Letkholun), in a statement, issued a “clear and final warning” that any Kuki-Zo representative who chooses to participate in forming a popular government would be deemed to have betrayed the community.

“Any untoward development arising from such participation shall rest solely and squarely on the shoulders of the participating Kuki-Zo MLAs,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Hmar Inpui, an apex body of the Hmar tribe, claimed it had received credible inputs that certain radical elements may attempt to incite violence by targeting private properties and residences of elected representatives.

In a statement, it said it would view any attempt to vandalise or target the properties of its MLAs as “an act of aggression” against the community and warned it would not remain a silent spectator if such acts occurred.

Hmar tribe MLA N Sanate was part of a BJP-led NDA delegation that met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Imphal to stake claim for government formation. Another Kuki-Zo MLA, L M Khaute, was also part of the team.

Manipur has witnessed ethnic violence since May 3, 2023, following a tribal solidarity march in hill districts against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Since then, at least 260 people, including members of both Kuki and Meitei communities and security personnel, have been killed, while thousands have been rendered homeless.