Imphal, Feb 5 (NationPress) Following the establishment of the BJP government led by Yumnam Khemchand Singh after the lifting of President’s Rule in Manipur, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the leading body of the tribal community, made a significant announcement on Thursday. They declared a social boycott of all Kuki-Zo MLAs who were involved in the government's formation.

Among the ten MLAs representing the Kuki-Zo community, Nemcha Kipgen, L.M. Khaute, and Ngursanglur Sanate have actively participated in the government formation process.

Out of the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs in the 60-member state Assembly, seven are part of the BJP, including Kipgen, Khaute, and Sanate, while the remaining three are associated with local Kuki-Zo organizations.

Kipgen, who was elected from the Kangpokpi Assembly constituency, took her oath virtually from Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi as Deputy Chief Minister. She stands out as the only female minister in the current Council of Ministers, which is led by Chief Minister Khemchand Singh.

Khaute, elected from the Churachandpur constituency, was present with Chief Minister Khemchand Singh during his meeting with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan to assert their claim to form the government.

Sanate, who represents the Tipaimukh Assembly constituency, returned to Imphal for the first time since the ethnic violence erupted in May 2023, coinciding with the government formation.

Kipgen, previously a Cabinet Minister in the administration led by former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, expressed her gratitude towards the BJP central leadership for her appointment as Deputy Chief Minister. In a message on her official X account, she stated: "I was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur last evening. I am profoundly thankful to the Central BJP leadership for their trust and confidence in me. I pledge to serve the people with dedication, integrity, and unwavering commitment to their welfare."

The KZC issued a statement that strongly condemned the involvement of particular Kuki-Zo MLAs in the formation of the Manipur government, labeling it as a serious breach of a resolution that was accepted on January 13.

According to the KZC, this resolution was unanimously ratified by the Suspension of Operation (SoO) groups, Kuki-Zo MLAs, and the Council, which decided against participating in the formation of the Manipur government without a formal political commitment from both the Central and state governments to endorse a negotiated political settlement -- Union Territory with Legislature -- under the Constitution.

The apex tribal body accused the participating MLAs of betraying the unified political stance and sentiments of the Kuki-Zo populace by joining what they termed a “Meitei-dominated government.”

By declaring a social boycott, the KZC urged the Kuki-Zo community to refrain from cooperating or associating with the MLAs in any social, customary, or public matters.

Additionally, various Kuki-Zo organizations are conducting protests in both Manipur and Delhi against the involvement of some MLAs from their community in the government formation.

Khemchand Singh was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Manipur on Wednesday, just a day after the BJP announced him as the new Legislature Party Leader. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla administered the oath of office and secrecy to the Chief Minister, two Deputy Chief Ministers, and two additional ministers during a ceremony at the Lok Bhavan. Alongside Kipgen, who took her oath virtually from New Delhi, Loishi Dikho of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) was also sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister. The other ministers include Govindas Konthoujam (BJP) and Khuraijam Loken Singh of the National People’s Party (NPP).

Plans are in place to expand the Khemchand Singh-led Council of Ministers, as seven ministerial positions remain unfilled.