President's Rule in Manipur Expected to Facilitate Political Resolutions: Kuki-Zo Council

Imphal, Feb 15 (NationPress) The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), a leading organization of the Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur, reiterated its support for the President’s Rule on Saturday, expressing optimism that it would lead to essential political resolutions.

The KZC, which includes the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), and multiple other Kuki-Zo tribal organizations, welcomed the government's announcement of President’s Rule in the region. “We believe that this (President’s Rule) will foster political settlements and promote peaceful coexistence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribes,” stated KZC Secretary (Information) Khaikhohauh Gangte.

In response to comments from the BJP’s northeast in-charge, Sambit Patra, regarding the protection of Manipur's territorial integrity, the KZC asserted: “Patra may be unaware, or has chosen to overlook, that on May 3, 2023, the Meitei community physically breached Manipur’s territorial integrity by committing violence, attacking churches, destroying homes, and forcibly displacing the Kuki-Zo population from the Imphal valley.”

The KZC claimed in a statement that the actions of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh's administration have caused significant demographic and physical separation between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. “Kuki-Zo people are not separatists; rather, it is the Meitei who have created a division from Manipur. More than 250 Kuki-Zo individuals have lost their lives in this ethnic strife, over 7,000 Kuki-Zo homes have been destroyed, more than 360 places of worship have been burned or demolished, and over 40,000 Kuki-Zo individuals have been rendered homeless,” the apex tribal body reported.

Patra remarked in Imphal that following the implementation of President’s Rule, the “60-member state Assembly is currently under suspended animation,” indicating that the assembly could be reinstated at a later date as deemed appropriate by the President of India. “The BJP is dedicated to continuing peace initiatives in the state and safeguarding Manipur's territorial integrity. There will be no compromises regarding this integrity, and illegal infiltration into Manipur will be addressed strictly,” Patra informed the media.

After Chief Minister N. Biren Singh's resignation on February 9, discussions intensively focused on selecting a new leader for the ruling BJP legislature party. Patra, a Lok Sabha member from Puri (Odisha), conducted multiple meetings with Ministers, MLAs, and BJP leaders to gather opinions. He also held discussions with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan regarding the state’s political climate.

“Due to the inability to agree on a consensus candidate for the next Chief Minister following Biren Singh’s resignation, the Governor recommended the imposition of President’s Rule in the state,” stated another senior BJP leader. “There are three factions among the Ministers and MLAs proposing different candidates for the CM’s position.”

Last week, senior BJP leaders summoned Biren Singh, various ministers, and select MLAs to Delhi to deliberate on the political and ethnic circumstances in Manipur.

BJP sources indicated that the frontrunners for the Chief Minister's title include state Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, MAHUD Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, and Rajya Sabha Member from Manipur Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba.

The BJP aims to select a leader who can gain acceptance from both tribal groups—Kuki-Zo-Hmar and Naga—as well as the predominant non-tribal Meitei community. Non-tribal Meiteis represent approximately 53 percent of Manipur's population, primarily residing in the Imphal Valley, while the Naga and Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribes account for just over 40 percent and inhabit the hill districts.