KUKI LEGISLATOPORS ATTEND SESSION PHYTSICALLY AFTER MORE THAN THREE YEARS
Correspondent
IMPHAL, SEP 2 (NPN): The proceeding of the first sitting of the eighth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly witnessed two legislators from the Kuki tribe, Haokholet Kipgen (MLA of Saitu Assembly Constituency and Kimneo Haokip Hangshing (MLA of Saikul Assembly Constituency), both in Kangpokpi district, attending the assembly on person for the first time in over three years after the conflict broke out in May 2023.
The session deliberated on demand to update National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur before the Census operations. The session which is scheduled to conclude on September 7 will have only three sittings.
As he entered the Assembly complex, Haokholet Kipgen said, “I am happy to come back to attend Assembly after a long time.”
Deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen who is also from the Kuki tribe attended the session through virtual mode as like in the previous sessions.
Chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh welcomed the move, describing it as a positive step toward fostering unity and peace in the state. “This is a good sign from people’s representatives, and it is a welcome step,” he said, before adding that with collective efforts, Manipur can strive to walk the path to peace.
Singh attributed the development to the state government’s persistent efforts to address and reduce the trust deficit among various communities.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to inclusive dialogue and reconciliation. It may be recalled that following the formation of the new BJP government with Y Khemchand Singh as the chief minister on February 4, 2026, Kuki MLAs had participated in previous assembly sittings through virtual mode.
During Wednesday’s sitting, the chief minister moved a resolution urging the government of India to update the NRC in Manipur before the Census operations, citing interests of the state as well as the country.
The resolution sought reaffirmation of decisions adopted by the Assembly on August 5, 2022 and March 1, 2024.
The move came after opposition Congress members sought an adjournment motion to debate the public demand for an NRC exercise before the Census operations.
The opposition’s move triggered a politically charged opening to the session as the government pressed a move to reaffirm the Assembly’s earlier resolutions on the issue instead of opposition’s demand for a debate through the adjournment motion.
Amid the heated argument between the members of the ruling and opposition, the chief minister informed the house that the Centre had deferred the Census in respect of the state after taking into account public concerns and the demand for an updated NRC.
He said that the Centre was concerned about the situation in Manipur and has halted the Census process in the state in response to demands from the people.
He added that an official document confirming the decision – deferment of the Census – was expected to be issued soon.
He further stated that the Central government would take appropriate steps on the Census process in the interest of the people of the state.
He then moved to pass a resolution unanimously reaffirming the house’s stand “to urge the Government of India to update the NRC before conducting the Census in the interest of the state in particular and the nation in general.”
The state Assembly had previously passed the resolution on August 5, 2022, and March 1, 2024.
Supporting the resolution, ruling NPF MLA Ram Muivah (Ukhrul AC) presented the imperative need to urge the government of India to complete the process in a time-bound manner.
The opening sitting also witnessed an obituary reference for four former members of the Assembly – Longjam Ningthemjao Singh, K Envey Dr Md Maniruddin Sheikh and AS Arthur.
Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh moved the obituary resolution, which was unanimously adopted by the house. Members observed a two-minute silence in their memory.