Manipur: KHRC condemns Kuki MLAs attending Assembly despite KIM directive to boycott session

Imphal: The Kuki Human Rights Council (KHRC) has condemned Kuki legislators who attended the ongoing session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, despite a directive from the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the community’s apex body, to boycott the proceedings.

The eighth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly began on September 2. Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen and Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing were present physically at the Assembly in Imphal, while Kangpokpi MLA and minister Nemcha Haokip and Henglep MLA Letzamang Haokip reportedly participated virtually, according to Assembly records.

In a statement issued through its Department of Information and Publicity, the KHRC described the legislators’ participation as a “total betrayal” of the sacrifices made by the Kuki community during the ongoing conflict.

The rights body pointed to the deaths of more than 250 Kuki people, large-scale displacement, destruction of villages and damage to churches since violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023. It said many displaced Kuki families continue to live in relief camps and alleged that justice remains elusive.

The KHRC also argued that Imphal remains inaccessible to most members of the Kuki community because of continuing security concerns. Against this backdrop, it questioned the decision of Kuki legislators to participate in proceedings of an Assembly it accused of failing to safeguard the community’s lives, property and rights.

The Council reiterated its support for the demand for a separate state or Union Territory under Article 239A of the Constitution, saying Kuki representatives were elected to advance the community’s political aspirations.

It also criticised Nemcha Haokip’s continued role in the Manipur government, maintaining that the Kuki community had collectively withdrawn from state institutions following the outbreak of violence in 2023.

According to the KHRC, the legislators’ participation could undermine the demand for a separate administration and disregard the plight of displaced families, widows, orphans and other victims of the conflict.

The Council appealed to Kuki civil society organisations, village chiefs, church leaders and community members to publicly question the legislators’ decision and urged the MLAs to boycott the remaining proceedings of the Assembly session.

The controversy comes after the KIM directed all nine sitting Kuki-Zo MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly to stay away from the session, citing the unresolved demand for a Separate Administration.