Imphal, Sep 3 (PTI): Kuki MLA Kimneo Hangshing Haokip on Thursday urged the Manipur government to ensure the supply of essential items, food, medicines and fuel to every part of the state.
Speaking in the Assembly about the hardships faced by people in Kuki-dominated areas of Kangpokpi district, Haokip said she appreciated the state government for its efforts to restore normalcy and peaceful coexistence among communities.
“I appreciate the state government for its sincere efforts to bring back normalcy and peaceful coexistence of all communities under the able leadership of Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh,” she said.
The Kuki People’s Alliance MLA, along with Independent MLA Haokholet Kipgen, on Wednesday became the first Kuki legislators to attend a session of the Manipur Assembly in person since ethnic violence broke out in the state in May 2023.
Haokip said that due to the conflict over the past three years, many aspiring students from the Kuki-Zo community have been unable to appear for competitive examinations because of insecurity while travelling.
She requested the government to establish exam centres at Kangpokpi district headquarters for central government job tests.
The MLA also urged the government to ensure the supply of essential commodities, food, medicines and fuel across the state.
“Saikul constituency has been cut off from the supply of essential items and life-saving drugs for over three-and-a-half months due to blockades by sections of different organisations and communities,” she said.
Haokip claimed that during a recent visit to an IDP centre in Churachandpur, she found that it lacked basic amenities, infrastructure and adequate medical supplies.
“Financial support provided for destroyed homes is either delayed or insufficient to cover actual construction and materials costs,” she said, adding that “relief camps are heavily crowded, leading to unhygienic conditions and lack of privacy for women.”
She also said that “displaced persons are surviving on minimal government rations and inadequate monetary stipends” and urged the government to provide adequate financial support for IDPs to rebuild their homes and start a new life.
Meanwhile, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki tribe in the state, strongly condemned the decision of MLAs Haokip and Kipgen to travel to Imphal and attend the Assembly session, allegedly “in total disregard” of its directive.
In a statement, the KIM said it was “deeply unfortunate” that the two MLAs had chosen to disregard the sentiments and aspirations of the Kuki-Zo people, particularly when the community was pursuing its political demand for separate administration.
The KIM reiterated that the demand for separate administration represented the “collective political aspiration” of the Kuki-Zo people.
It said elected representatives were expected to respect and uphold the sentiments, aspirations and collective position of the people they represented.
The KIM also urged all Kuki-Zo public representatives to remain mindful of the larger cause and act in accordance with the collective aspirations of the community.