Political Unrest in Manipur: Kuki-Zo Groups Call for Shutdown Amid Assembly Session
Political Tensions Rise in Manipur
Imphal, Feb 5: Manipur is witnessing renewed political unrest as various Kuki-Zo organizations have initiated shutdowns and cautioned community lawmakers against engaging in government formation, coinciding with the commencement of a new session of the Manipur Assembly on Thursday.
The Joint Forum of Seven (JF7) has declared a complete shutdown in Kuki-Zo populated regions of Outer Manipur and the Kuki Hills from 6 am to 6 pm on February 6. This action protests the involvement of certain Kuki-Zo MLAs in the establishment of a new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
The forum has called upon villagers, civil society organizations, and youth groups to participate in the protests in a "democratic and peaceful" manner, reiterating their longstanding demand for a distinct Kuki administration.
Reports indicate that tensions have escalated, with protests erupting on the ground.
On Wednesday night, demonstrators set fire to tyres and erected bamboo barricades on roads near Leimakhong in the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district, opposing the swearing-in of Nemcha Kipgen, a BJP MLA from the Kuki community, as one of the Deputy Chief Ministers.
L Dikho from the Naga People’s Front was also sworn in as a Deputy Chief Minister.
The Kuki Liberation Army–Letkholun (KLA-L) issued a statement asserting that no Kuki-Zo MLA has the authority to partake in the formation of what they termed a "popular government" in Manipur.
The group warned of "decisive and uncompromising" actions against those who defy the collective decision, stating that any repercussions from such participation would be the sole responsibility of the individuals involved.
The Kuki Zo Council (KZC) supported this stance, indicating that any MLA from the community who ignores the collective decision would be acting independently, and the organization would not bear responsibility for the outcomes of such actions.
The JF7's shutdown announcement follows the swearing-in of BJP legislator Yumnam Khemchand Singh as the 13th Chief Minister of Manipur, nearly a year after the resignation of BJP leader N Biren Singh, which came after months of ethnic strife between the Meitei and Kuki communities and the subsequent imposition of President’s Rule.
Earlier, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Governor of Manipur, convened the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly at 4 pm on Thursday.
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh led the first Cabinet meeting of his administration on Wednesday evening, shortly after the oath-taking ceremony at Lok Bhavan. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his congratulatory message and stated that his government would strive diligently to promote development and prosperity in Manipur, with a focus on inclusive growth and the preservation of the State’s cultural heritage.