What Sparked the Social Boycott of Kuki-Zo MLAs in Manipur?

In Manipur, the recent alignment of three Kuki-Zo MLAs with the government has led to a significant backlash, including a declared social boycott by the Kuki Zo Council. This political shift has ignited protests and calls for a total shutdown in Kuki-majority areas, as community leaders demand a separate administrative unit. The ongoing ethnic violence in the region has already claimed numerous lives and displaced thousands, raising concerns about the future stability of the area. As tensions rise, the Kuki-Zo community is urging its members to distance themselves from the MLAs involved, highlighting the deep divisions within the state.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 5, 2026, 20:23 IST

Tensions Rise in Manipur Following Political Shift

In Imphal, a day after three MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community aligned with the Manipur government, a local organization announced a 'social boycott' against them, accusing them of betraying their community by siding with the Meitei people.

Various groups have also called for a 'total shutdown' in the Kuki-majority district of Churachandpur on Friday.

The region has been grappling with ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023, which led to the imposition of President's Rule in February of the following year.

In a significant political move, BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Manipur, nearly a year after N Biren Singh's resignation.

Alongside him, Nemcha Kipgen, another BJP MLA from the Kuki community, and L Dikho from the Naga People's Front took their oaths as deputy chief ministers.

The Assembly currently has ten Kuki-Zo legislators, with seven representing the BJP.

Hmar tribe MLA N Sanate was part of a BJP-led delegation that met with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Imphal to claim the government formation, which included another Kuki-Zo MLA, L M Khaute.

The Hmar people are recognized as part of the Kuki-Zo community.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Kuki Zo Council (KZC) expressed strong disapproval of the involvement of certain Kuki-Zo MLAs in the government formation, labeling it a serious breach of the Lungthu Resolution established on January 13, 2026.

This resolution stipulates that Kuki-Zo members would only engage in government formation if there is a written commitment from both central and state authorities for a separate administrative unit, potentially as a Union Territory with its own legislature.

The KZC asserted that by joining the government, these MLAs have effectively aligned with the Meitei community, thus betraying their own constituents.

The council declared a social boycott against these MLAs in all Kuki-Zo regions, urging community members to refrain from any social, customary, or public interactions with them.

This boycott will remain until the MLAs realign with the collective stance of the Kuki-Zo community.

The KZC warned that any MLA who chooses to ignore this collective decision would be acting independently, and the organization would not be responsible for any repercussions from their 'unilateral decisions.'

In response, the Joint Forum of Seven (JF7), a tribal organization from Churachandpur, has called for a 'total shutdown' in Kuki-Zo areas from 6 AM to 6 PM on Friday, encouraging community members to participate in peaceful protests across villages while reiterating their demand for a separate Kuki administration.

Some Kuki militant groups have also issued stern warnings to the MLAs regarding their participation in the government formation.

On Wednesday night, protesters burned tires and blocked roads near Leimakhong in the Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district to express their discontent over Nemcha Kipgen's appointment as deputy CM.

The Kuki Liberation Army (Letkholun) issued a 'clear and final warning' that any Kuki-Zo representative who engages in government formation will be seen as betraying their community.

They stated that any negative consequences arising from such participation would rest solely on the shoulders of the involved Kuki-Zo MLAs.

Meanwhile, the Hmar Inpui, the leading body of the Hmar tribe, reported credible information suggesting that radical elements might attempt to incite violence against the properties and homes of elected representatives.

They warned that any vandalism or targeting of their MLAs' properties would be viewed as an 'act of aggression' against the community, and they would not remain passive if such unlawful actions occurred.

Since the ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023, following a tribal solidarity march in the hill districts protesting the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, at least 260 individuals, including members from both the Kuki and Meitei communities as well as security personnel, have lost their lives, with thousands displaced.