Imphal: The Kuki History and Identity Protection Committee (KHIPC) has demanded the immediate resignation of Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and all Kuki MLAs, alleging that their continued participation in the state government undermines the demand for a separate administration for the Kuki community.
In a statement, KHIPC said Kuki legislators derive their mandate from the Kuki electorate and should stand with the community amid the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state.
The committee cited the violence that began in 2023 and claimed that the Kuki community had faced targeted attacks, resulting in deaths, displacement and prolonged hardship. It also alleged delays in political negotiations and a lack of progress on demands for a separate Kuki state or Union Territory with a legislature.
T. Kamkhosei Haokip, Information and Publicity Secretary of KHIPC, alleged that the BJP-led Central government was pursuing a “divide-and-rule” policy within the Kuki community through selective engagement and prolonged talks without tangible outcomes. The committee claimed that such measures had eroded public trust and contributed to divisions within the community.
KHIPC further alleged that the Centre had failed to address key concerns, including the rehabilitation of displaced families, restoration of normalcy and security in Kuki-inhabited areas. It also expressed concern that delays in a political settlement could lead to wider tensions in the state.
The committee said merely boycotting Assembly proceedings was insufficient and called on Kuki MLAs, including Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, to resign from the Manipur Legislative Assembly and the Council of Ministers.
KHIPC also endorsed demands by sections of civil society and women’s groups seeking written commitments from Kuki legislators to resign if a separate administration is not secured before the 2027 Assembly elections.
The committee urged Kuki legislators to publicly support the demand for a separate administration and stand with the community’s political aspirations.