UKHRUL: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has directed all Kuki-Zo MLAs not to attend the Manipur Legislative Assembly session beginning September 2, citing the unresolved demand for a Separate Administration.
The directive was issued on August 31 by the apex body of the Kuki tribes, which said the MLAs should refrain from going to Imphal until a political settlement is reached on the Kuki-Zo demand.
The KIM said attending the Assembly while the political issue concerning the future of the Kuki-Zo people remains unresolved would go against the collective position and aspirations of the community.
Also read Naga MLAs Seek Amit Shah’s Intervention, Demand Action Against Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen
“Their demand for a separate political administration is not a matter that can be set aside while normal legislative proceedings are resumed as though the prevailing political crisis has been resolved,” the KIM said.
It urged the Kuki-Zo MLAs to follow the directive and said their political representation should reflect the political will of the people they represent.
The KIM also warned that any Kuki-Zo MLA who ignores the directive would be viewed as having departed from the collective political position of the Kuki-Zo people.
The apex body said there could be no “return to business as usual” without a political solution and opposed any attempt to use the participation of Kuki-Zo MLAs in the Assembly to project normalcy or dilute the demand for a political settlement.
The eighth session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly is scheduled to commence on September 2 in Imphal.
