4 hrs ago
Kuki MLAs Return to Manipur Assembly After Three-Year Absence
Two lawmakers from the Kuki community went to the Manipur Assembly in person.
They had not attended the Assembly in Imphal physically since violence began in 2023.
The lawmakers were Kimneo Haokip Hangshing and Haokholet Kipgen.
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen joined the meeting online.
The Chief Minister said their attendance was a hopeful sign.
He said working together could help Manipur move toward peace.
The Kuki community is still asking for a separate administrative arrangement.
The Assembly session is scheduled to continue until September 7.
Kimneo Haokip Hangshing and Haokholet Kipgen attended the Manipur Assembly in person in Imphal.
Their attendance was the first physical participation by Kuki MLAs since violence erupted in 2023.
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, also from the Kuki community, joined the session virtually.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh called the development a positive step toward unity and peace.
The appearance came amid continuing ethnic tensions and Kuki demands for a separate administration.
- Who
- Kuki MLAs Kimneo Haokip Hangshing and Haokholet Kipgen attended, while Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen joined virtually.
- What
- The Kuki legislators attended a Manipur Legislative Assembly session in person for the first time since the 2023 violence.
- Where
- The session was held at the Manipur Legislative Assembly in Imphal.
- When
- The first sitting took place on Wednesday, September 1; the session is scheduled to continue until September 7.
- Why
- Their attendance came amid ethnic tensions, efforts to reduce mistrust, and Kuki demands for a separate administration.
Kuki Political Position
State Government Position
Separate administration
Kuki Political Position
Kuki groups, including Kuki Inpi Manipur, have called for a political settlement addressing their demand for a separate administration.
State Government Position
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh emphasized inclusive dialogue, reconciliation, unity, and peace rather than detailing support for a separate administration.
Assembly attendance
Kuki Political Position
Kuki Inpi Manipur had directed community MLAs not to travel to Meitei-majority Imphal pending a political settlement; six Kuki-Zo MLAs had previously attended virtually.
State Government Position
The state government welcomed the two legislators' physical attendance as a positive step and attributed it partly to efforts to reduce the trust deficit.
Key facts
- Session
- The eighth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly
- In-person attendees
- Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen
- Virtual attendee
- Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen
- Attendance gap
- The articles describe the gap as more than three years or approximately three and a half years.
- Conflict toll
- More than 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced since May 2023, according to one article.
- Political context
- Kuki groups are seeking a separate administrative arrangement.
- Session schedule
- The session is scheduled to run through September 7.
Quotes
Yumnam Khemchand Singh
Chief Minister of Manipur
“This is a good sign from people’s representatives, and it is a welcome step… With collective efforts, Manipur can strive to walk the path to peace,””
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