Ten members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly from the Kuki community have sought for separate administration under the Constitution of India. The legislators include seven elected members from Bharatiya Janata Party, two from Kuki People’s Alliance and an Independent.

In a statement to the press, the legislators cited that the recent violence ‘perpetrated’ by the Meities with support from the Government of Manipur against the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi hill tribals had already ‘partitioned the State and effected a total separation from the State of Manipur.’

‘To live amidst the Meitei again is as good as death for our people,’ the MLAs stated, adding that the Kuki tribal community could no longer ‘exist under Manipur’, alleging the Manipur government of ‘miserably’ failing to protect the community in the recent ethnic clash that killed over 60 people and displaced over 20,000.

The legislators further maintained that as elected representative, they represent the sentiments of the people and ‘endorse their political aspiration of separation from the state of Manipur.’

It also informed that a political consultation would be convened with Kuki people to discuss further steps to be taken in this regard.

The MLAs expressed their hope to ‘live peacefully as neighbours with the state of Manipur’.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

The legislators who signed the statement were Haokholet Kipgen (IND), MLA, Saitu AC; Ngursanglur Sanate (BJP), MLA, Tipaimukh AC; Kimneo Haokip Hangshing (KPA), MLA, Saikul AC; Letpao Haokip (BJP), MLA, Tengnoupal AC; LM Khaute (BJP), MLA, Churachandpur AC; Letzamang Haokip (BJP), MLA, Henglep AC; Chinlunthang (KPA), MLA, Singngat AC; Paolienlal Haokip (BJP), MLA, Saikot AC; Nemcha Kipgen (BJP), MLA, Kangpokpi AC; Vungjagin Valte (BJP), MLA, Thanion AC.