Manipur hills on edge as Kuki MLAs face backlash

Amid escalating violent protests against Kuki MLAs participating in the formation of the popular government, minister Govindas Konthoujam said that the “situation is not normal but under control.”
Fresh violent protests erupted in parts of the three hill districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal late on Wednesday, hours after a new BJP-led government, with Yumnam Khemchand Singh as chief minister, was installed in the strife-torn state.
People in the Kuki-dominated districts were protesting against MLAs belonging to the Kuki tribes joining the formation of the popular government.
When Khemchand was sworn in as chief minister late on Wednesday evening, BJP MLA Nemcha Kipgen, who represents Kangpokpi Assembly Constituency of Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district, also took oath as deputy chief minister. Kipgen took the oath of office through virtual mode from Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi.
Besides, two MLAs from Churachandpur district – LM Khaute and N Sanate – attended the swearing-in ceremony held at Imphal Lok Bhavan.
The participation of the Kuki MLAs in the formation of the popular government sparked widespread violent protests across the three hill districts.
The protest first erupted in Churachandpur district on Wednesday night, hours after the swearing-in ceremony, and escalated in parts of Kangpokpi district on Thursday.
It then escalated in Tengnoupal district, where a mass rally was carried out in Moreh, the border town along the Indo-Myanmar border, on Friday.
During the rally held across the border town, protesters chanted various slogans expressing strong resentment and disappointment, accusing the three Kuki MLAs who joined the formation of the popular government of betraying their people.
The rally was organised by various Kuki-based civil society organisations in the border town, extending support to the 24-hour total shutdown call given by the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) in Kuki-inhabited areas across the hill districts in protest against the three MLAs’ participation in the government formation.
The KSO termed the move by the three MLAs as a “betrayal of the tribe’s demand for a Separate Administration.”
At the conclusion of the rally, effigies of the three MLAs — Nemcha Kipgen, LM Khaute and N Sanate — were set on fire, showing strong opposition to their move.
Similar protest rallies were carried out in parts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts amid violent protests and total shutdown.
In Churachandpur district, a protest rally was carried out from Koite Playground to the Wall of Remembrance, covering around three kilometres.
The rally was reportedly organised by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) and the Women’s Wing of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF).
During the rally, protesters chanted slogans demanding the resignation of Nemcha Kipgen as deputy chief minister while reiterating the demand for a separate administration for the Kuki tribes in Manipur.
“We don’t want popular government” and “Don’t play with our blood” were among the slogans chanted during the rally, as seen in videos widely circulated on the internet.
They also burnt effigies of Kipgen and the two other BJP MLAs — LM Khaute, who belongs to the Zo tribe, and N Sanate, who belongs to the Hmar tribe.
Earlier, the 24-hour “total shutdown” imposed in the Kuki-dominated district was relaxed to allow the rally.
A leader who took part in the rally was heard saying that “the MLAs betrayed the expectations of the people by joining the government of Manipur.”
At Saikul in Kangpokpi district, a similar rally was held, with protesters burning effigies of the three MLAs.
The rally, carried out amid a heavy presence of security forces, also demanded Nemcha Kipgen’s immediate resignation from the post of deputy chief minister.
Reports said protesters clashed with security forces, who resorted to firing several rounds of tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.
At least two protesters were reportedly injured in the clash.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened in the vicinity of the residences of the three MLAs in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Pherzawl districts following the outbreak of protests and rallies.
On the other hand, minister Govindas Konthoujam downplayed the seriousness of the issue and maintained that the situation was under control.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Imphal, Konthoujam said the situation in Churachandpur was not normal but under control.
“Some disturbances are there, but as of now the situation is under control,” he said, adding that some sections of the people in the district were unhappy with the development.
He said, “They are expressing their anger and discontent as they are not happy. But nothing will happen as coordinated security has been put in place to prevent any major untoward incident.”
Konthoujam added that many people in the district were peace-loving and wanted normalcy to return to the state.
“Things will improve gradually,” he assured.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam maintained that the violent protests were confined only to the Tuibong area of Churachandpur district, alleging that they were ignited by some “radical elements” who were against a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict.
The Zomi Council, an apex body of the Zomi tribe, in the meantime, strongly protested against calling the three MLAs who participated in the government formation “traitors.”
In a statement, the council said it had taken note of allegations made by certain sections of society that, out of the 10 MLAs belonging to the Zomi/Kuki/Hmar communities who are part of the newly formed popular government in Manipur, three MLAs were traitors.
“These allegations are unethical and uncalled for,” it said, asserting that it was commonly known to the general public that all 10 MLAs were equally responsible and accountable for the formation of the popular government in Manipur.
“We would like to make it clear to the general public that the two Zomi MLAs who reside within the Zomi area shall be dealt with exclusively by the Zomi community and no outsider shall attempt to intrude into their personal lives or property,” the council stated.
It added that any defaulter shall bear the consequences at their own risk and that the Zomi Council shall not be held responsible.
The council also appealed to the Central government to expedite political talks for an immediate political solution.
“We appreciate the strict vigilance exercised by the police, security forces and village volunteers to ensure peace in our communities,” the statement signed by the council’s information and publicity secretary Mary Jones Vung added.