Manipur: NDA Ally Kuki People’s Alliance Withdraws Support From Biren Singh-led Govt – News18

NDA ally Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) on Sunday withdrew their support from the N Biren Singh-led government in Manipur which is rocked by ethnic violence since May this year. However, the breaking away of KPA from the NDA will not have any effect on the government as the ruling coalition enjoys the majority in the 60-member state assembly.

As per a Kuki People’s Alliance press release, Kimneo Hangshing (Saikul) and Chinlunthang (Singat) withdrew their support to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

“After careful consideration of the current conflagration, the continued support for the incumbent government of Manipur led by Chief Minister N.Biren Singh is no longer fructuous. Accordingly, the support of the KPA to the Government of Manipur is hereby withdrawn and can be considered null and void,” two MLAs said in an official letter to Manipur Governor.

Notably, Kuki People’s Alliance party has only two MLAs. However, the withdrawal of the two leaders will not impact Biren Singh’s government in Manipur in terms of numbers.

In the 60-member Manipur Assembly, the BJP holds the largest number of seats with 32 seats. Additionally, the party enjoys the backing of five NPF MLAs and three independent legislators.

On the other hand, the opposition consists of representatives from various parties. The NPP holds seven seats, followed by the Congress with five, and JD(U) with six

Kuki MLAs Likely To Skip Manipur Assembly

Most of the Kuki MLAs are likely to skip the Manipur assembly session, which is scheduled to begin on August 21 irrespective of their party affiliations to protest against the continued ethnic violence in the Northeastern state.

An apex Meitei organisation COCOMI, which has been spearheading demands for an early session of the assembly to “unanimously” reject demands for separate administrative units for Kukis, however, claimed that it would ensure the safety of tribal MLAs if “they want to come.”

“Given the prevailing law and order situation, it will not be possible on my part to attend the upcoming session,” said LM Khaute, BJP MLA for Churachandpur, one of the worst-hit districts by the ongoing race riots, in a telephonic interview to PTI.

Manipur Violence

On May 3, violence broke out in the Northeastern state of Manipur after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. More than 160 people died while several hundred were injured so far in the violence.

The violent clashes in the state, which borders the conflict-struck Myanmar, began when the minority Kuki tribal group clashed with, Meiti community members, a non-tribal group, the ethnic majority in the state over sharing of economic benefits and quotas given to the tribes.

The Meitei community accounts for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s total population and is settled mostly in the Imphal Valley. On the other hand, the other communities in the state are tribals — Nagas and Kukis — that constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts.