Protest Against Participation of Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs in Manipur Government Formation

PTI, IMPHAL/CHURACHANDPUR, FEB 6: Thousands of protesters in Manipur's three hill districts staged a rally against the participation of three Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs in the formation of a popular government in the state, alleging that the legislators betrayed the community. 

Effigies of Kuki MLA Nemcha Kipgen who is a deputy chief minister in the newly sworn-in government, and two other legislators, LM Khaute and N Sanate, who belong to Zo and Hmar communities, were also burnt in Churachandpur district. 

All three are ruling BJP MLAs. Protest rallies were also held in Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts. In Churachandpur, agitators took out a rally jointly organised by Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) and Women Wing of Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) to protest the participation of Kipgen in government formation. 

The rallyists marched from Koite Playground to the Wall of Remembrance, covering a distance of nearly 3 km, in Churachandpur town. The protesters raised slogans seeking the resignation of Kipgen and reiterated their demand for separate administration for the community. 

The Kuki Zo Council (KZC) had on Thursday asserted that these MLAs violated the January 13 Lungthu Resolution, in which it was decided that the community members would take part in government formation only if there was a written assurance from the central and state authorities that there would be a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory with a legislature. 

Earlier, the 24-hour "total shutdown" which was imposed in the Kuki-majority district was relaxed to allow the rally.