New Delhi: National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner Kuki People's Alliance (KPA) on Sunday withdrew support from N Biren Singh's government in Manipur, three months after violence began in the northeastern state.
Notably, the Kuki People's Alliance has two MLAs in the Manipur Assembly - Kimneo Haokip Hangshing from Saikul and Chinlunthang from Singhat.
“After careful consideration of the current conflagration, the continued support for the incumbent government of Manipur led by Chief Minister N.Biren Singh is no longer fructuous. Accordingly, the support of the KPA to the Government of Manipur is hereby withdrawn and can be considered null and void,” the party said in a letter to Governor Anusuiya Uikey, according to PTI.
More than 160 people have lost their lives and several hundred have been injured since the ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3, after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
According to the news agency PTI, most of the Kuki MLAs, irrespective of their party affiliations, are likely to skip the Assembly session scheduled to be convened from August 21.
Kuki People’s Alliance 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.
LM Khaute, BJP MLA from Churachandpur, told PTI, "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." Churachandpur has been one of the worst affected districts in the ongoing ethnic violence.
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.