State’s failure to protect Kuki community in Manipur prompts ten MLAs to demand separate administration
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Imphal: The recent clashes between the two communities and subsequent events led all ten Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the Kuki community in Manipur, including two ministers in the state government, to demand a separate administration over the alleged failure of the state to provide protection to the Chin-Kuki-Zomi tribals.
The demand comes after clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities on May 3, which resulted in over 70 deaths in the state. The MLAs stated that living among the Meiteis after these clashes is equivalent to death for their people. The signatories include BJP MLA Vunzagin Valte, who was critically injured after an attack on his vehicle in Imphal on May 4, and BJP ministers Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen.
The remaining signatories are Haokholet Kipgen, LM Khaute, Ngursanglur Sanate, Letzamang Haokip, Paolienlal Haokip from the BJP, and Kimneo Haokip Hangshing and Chinlunthang Haokip from the Kuki People’s Alliance.
These MLAs make up one-sixth of the strength of the Manipur Assembly, with 20 seats from the hill areas accounting for around 90% of the state's geographical area, making up half of the state's tribal MLAs.
The MLAs claimed that hatred against their tribal communities had reached such a height that MLAs, ministers, pastors, police and civil officers, laymen, women and children were not spared. Places of worship, homes and properties were also destroyed. The MLAs said in their statement that they are representing the sentiments of their people and endorsing their political aspiration of "separation from the state of Manipur."
They are seeking a separate administration under the Constitution of India and to live peacefully as neighbours with the state of Manipur. Minister Leitpao Haokip said it is up to the Union of India to decide whether it would be a separate state or a Union Territory.
One of the MLAs said the next step they are planning is a meeting in Mizoram on May 16 with community leaders and civil society organisation leaders from their constituencies to mobilise this demand.
Kuldiep Singh, Security Advisor to the CM, stated on Friday that the number of reported deaths since the clashes began has risen to 71 with three more bodies recovered from a vehicle inside a ditch.
He said 40% of these deaths have been verified to be an outcome of the clashes. On Thursday, three Meitei villagers were abducted in Torbung Bangla in the Bishnupur district. Singh said an operation is ongoing to rescue them, and efforts are being made to bring back around 300 people who fled to Myanmar after the violence.