Manipur: Kuki MLAs, including 7 from BJP demand separate state

Manipur's 10 Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi-Hmar MLAs, seven of who are from the ruling BJP, wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah formally requesting "administrative separation" between the tribal Kukis and the majority Meiteis.

This comes shortly after Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated that Union Home Minister Shah is opposed to the state's division.

"Manipur is now partitioned is the ground reality. Huge population transfers between the valley and the hills inhabited by the Kuki-Chin-Mizo-Zomi-Hmar had occurred. There are no tribals left in the Imphal valley. There are no Meiteis left in the hills. The government of Manipur and its police machinery were communalised and used in the pogrom against the Kuki tribals," the legislators said in a memorandum to Shah.

The MLAs further asserted that during the tribal solidarity march on May 3 against the Manipur High Court's judgement to include Meitei on the list of Scheduled Tribes, shouts were directed at the state administration. 

"The Meitei mobs were shouting communal and ethnic slogans against the Kuki tribes. The spark was ignited in the afternoon of 3rd May when Meitei miscreants set fire to the Anglo-Kuki war memorial gate at Leisang, Churachandpur," the letter read. With no option left they made a unanimous press statement on May 12, urging the Centre for a separate administration for their people, they said.

"There is thus a clear-cut partition of the state between the tribal hills and the Meitei valley. Our people have lost faith in the Manipur government and can no longer imagine resettling in the valley where their lives are no longer safe.," the letter read.

The seven BJP MLAs, include two ministers-Nemcha Kipgen (Kangpokpi) and Letpao Haokip (Tengnoupal), Ngursanglur Sanate ( Tipaimukh ), LM Khaute ( Churachandpur) , Letzamang Haokip (Henglep), Paolienlal Haokip ( Saikot) and Vungjagin Valte (Thanlon ).

Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing and Singhat MLA Chinlunthang are from Kuki People's Alliance while Haokholet Kipgen (Saitu) is an Independent.