As Manipur Grapples With Violence, Kuki MLAs Mull Skipping Assembly Session

Kuki organisations, including Kuki Inpi Manipur, Kuki Students' Organisation, Kuki Chiefs' Association and Kuki Women Union have also asked their MLAs to refrain from attending the Assembly session.

Security personnel stand guard at Kwakta, in Bishnupur district. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: In the wake of ongoing violence in Manipur, most of the Kuki MLAs, irrespective of their party affiliations, are likely to skip the Assembly session scheduled to be convened from August 21, news agency PTI quoted some political leaders as saying.

"In view of the prevailing law and order situation and the continuing violence in Manipur, it will not be possible on my part to attend the upcoming session," LM Khaute, BJP MLA from Churachandpur, told PTI. Churachandpur has been one of the worst affected districts in the ongoing ethnic violence.

In a telephonic interview to PTI, he further said the lack of resolution to the Kuki demand for a separate administration will not make it possible for the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar MLAs to attend the Assembly Session.

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Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) chief Tongmang Haokip said a guarantee from the state government and the Centre on taking adequate steps might help quell the fear. "The MLAs will not be safe travelling to Imphal … one BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte who represents Thanlon was badly assaulted there, he is still under medical care,” Haokip told PTI.

According to the report, a civic body of the Naga tribes, Naga Hoho, has also asked its 10 Naga MLAs to not attend the assembly session. It claimed that the Manipur government has been working against peace talks with the Naga groups.

Kuki organisations, including Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Kuki Chiefs' Association (KSAM) and Kuki Women Union (KWU) have also asked their MLAs to refrain from attending the Assembly session in Imphal, reported PTI.

It is to be noted that there are 10 Kuki-Zomi MLAs, including seven from BJP, two from Kuki People's Alliance and one independent, in the Manipur Assembly which has a strength of 60 members.