UKHRUL: The Kuki History and Identity Protection Committee (KHIPC) has called for the immediate resignation of Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and all Kuki legislators, arguing that their continued involvement in the state government weakens the community’s demand for a separate administrative arrangement.
In a statement, the committee said Kuki MLAs were elected by the Kuki community and therefore have a responsibility to stand firmly with their constituents during the ongoing ethnic unrest in Manipur.
Referring to the violence that erupted in 2023, KHIPC alleged that the Kuki community had been subjected to targeted attacks, leading to loss of lives, large-scale displacement, and sustained suffering. The organisation also expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of political dialogue and the absence of concrete progress toward the creation of a separate Kuki state or a Union Territory with a legislative assembly.
KHIPC Information and Publicity Secretary T. Kamkhosei Haokip accused the BJP-led Central government of adopting a “divide-and-rule” approach by selectively engaging with sections of the Kuki community while prolonging negotiations without delivering meaningful results. According to the committee, this strategy has weakened public confidence and deepened divisions among Kukis.
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The committee further claimed that the Centre had not adequately addressed critical issues such as the rehabilitation of displaced persons, restoration of normal life, and ensuring security in Kuki-dominated areas. It warned that continued delays in reaching a political resolution could intensify tensions across the state.
KHIPC maintained that merely staying away from Assembly sessions was not enough and urged all Kuki legislators, including Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, to step down from both the Manipur Legislative Assembly and the Council of Ministers.
The organisation also backed calls from various civil society organisations and women’s groups demanding written assurances from Kuki MLAs that they would resign if the demand for a separate administration remains unmet before the 2027 Assembly elections.
Reiterating its position, KHIPC appealed to Kuki legislators to openly endorse the demand for a separate administrative setup and align themselves with the political aspirations of the Kuki community.
