'Manipur Failed To Protect Us': Kuki MLAs Urge Centre For 'Separate Administration'

Kuki MLAs, including two ministers in Manipur, have demanded a separate administration in the wake of the recent violence in the state.

Guwahati: All the 10 Kuki legislators in Manipur, including eight from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have urged the Centre to create a 'separate administration', in the wake of the recent outbreak of violent clashes in the state. Among the 10 legislators from the Kuki communities of Manipur, two are ministers in the N Biren Singh-led Manipur government. The Kuki legislators stated that the state of Manipur has miserably failed to protect its Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi tribals. “As the state of Manipur has miserably failed to protect us, we seek from the Union of India a 'separate administration' under the constitution of India and live peacefully as neighbours with the state of Manipur,” they said in a statement. The new demand for a 'separate administration' comes after violent clashes broke out between both the Meiteis and the Kukis. Clashes between both communities in Manipur broke out on May 3 during a protest march. Instead of cooling down, the simmering tension took a violent turn as days passed.

In a statement, signed by all 10 Kuki legislators, said, “The unabated violence that began on May 3, 2023, in Manipur, perpetrated by a majority of the Meiteis, tacitly supported by the existing Manipur government, against the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi hill tribals has already partitioned the state and effected a total separation from the state of Manipur.”

“Our people can no longer exist under Manipur as the hatred against our tribal community reached such a height that the MLAs, Ministers, pastors, police, and civil officers, laymen, women and even the children were not spared, not to mention the destruction of places of worship, homes and properties. To live amidst the Meitei again is as good as death for our people, the statement said.”

“Therefore, as elected representatives of our people, we today represent the sentiments of our people and endorse their political aspiration of separation from the state of Manipur. We have also decided to hold a political consultation with our people at the earliest regarding further steps to be taken by us as a people, the statement further said.”

Among all the 10 legislators who signed the statement is BJP’s Thanlon Assembly constituency MLA Vungjagin Valte, who was critically injured after an attack on his vehicle in Imphal on May 4, following which he had to be airlifted to New Delhi for treatment.

Other than the legislators, the other signatories include ministers from the ruling N Biren Singh-led government Letpao Haokip, who represents the Tengnoupal Assembly Constituency, and Nemcha Kipgen, who represents the Kangpokpi Assembly constituency.  

The remaining signatories are Saitu (ST) MLA Haokholet Kipgen, Churachandpur MLA LM Khaute, Tipaimukh MLA Ngursanglur Sanate, Henglep MLA Letzamang Haokip and Saikot MLA Paolienlal Haokip from BJP, Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing and Singngat MLA Chinlunthang Haokip from the Kuki People’s Alliance.

The  Kuki People’s Alliance extended its support to BJP in forming the government in the state after the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections.

On being asked about a 'separate administration' they have been pressing for, BJP’s Tengnoupal legislator and Minister Letpao Haokip said “It depends totally upon the Union of India whether they grant us a separate state or a Union Territory.”

One from among the MLAs said, “We are planning to organize a meeting in Mizoram on May 16, with the community leaders and civil society organization leaders from their respective constituencies, to draw the process of mobilizing this demand.”

Manipur has been on the edge since February this year after the BJP-led government launched an eviction drive which was largely considered to be targeting a particular tribal group.

In Manipur, the Imphal Valley lies in the centre of the hill state and is dominated by the non-tribal Meitei community, who accounts for more than 64 per cent of the state’s total population and sends 40 of the state’s 60 legislators.

On the other hand, the hill districts of the state are inhabited by more than 35 per cent of tribal people, of which, only 20 legislators, represent them in the state Legislative Assembly.

The tribals allege that the Meitei community has a demographic and political advantage, and is more advanced academically and in other aspects, as compared to the tribal people of the state.

The tribal people are of the opinion that granting ST status to the Meitei community will result in the loss of job opportunities for them.

Moreover, the tribals feel that if the Meiteis are given ST status, they will be allowed to acquire land in the hills, as a result of which, they will be thrown out of their own land.