A rally in Churachandpur opposed Kuki-Zo MLAs’ role in forming the Manipur government as tribal bodies urged unity and cautioned against threats.
Share
IMPHAL — A mass public rally opposing the participation of Kuki-Zo MLAs in the formation of the new Manipur government was held in Churachandpur district on Friday under the aegis of the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR), even as a tribal body cautioned against threats to one of the MLAs and called for unity.
The rally, supported by the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Churachandpur, began from Koite ground around 12:30 pm and moved through key routes of Churachandpur before converging at Peace Ground, Tuibong, for a public meeting.
During the programme, effigies of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, MLA LM Khaute (Churachandpur) and MLA Ngursanglur Sanate (Tipaimukh) were burnt in front of the Wall of Remembrance at Peace Ground, Tuibong.
Also read: Meghalaya government adopts multi-pronged strategy to decongest Shillong
The rally followed a confrontation on Wednesday night at Tuibong under Churachandpur police station, where security forces attempted to disperse an unruly mob protesting against the formation of the new state government. Protesters allegedly pelted stones and other hard objects, prompting security personnel to use tear gas shells and mock bombs to control the situation.
Earlier, the KSO Churachandpur district had announced a 24-hour total shutdown across the district on Friday in support of a social boycott of MLAs who participated in the government formation. However, sources said the shutdown was temporarily lifted to facilitate the KWOHR-led rally.
Meanwhile, amid the protests, the Indigenous Tribes Advocacy Committee (ITAC) of Pherzawl and Jiribam districts issued a press release on Thursday stating that MLA Ngursanglur Sanate is a “legitimate and constitutional representative” of areas under ITAC’s jurisdiction, a major portion of which falls within the Tipaimukh assembly constituency.
ITAC warned that any attempt to “demean, intimidate, threaten or cause harm” to Sanate, or to vandalise or steal his property, would be viewed as disrespecting the collective stand of the tribal populace of Pherzawl and Jiribam. It added that ITAC continues to support the interests of the Hmar, Kuki and Zomi tribes of Manipur and appealed that the current political developments should not create animosity among them.
It may be noted that two Kuki-Zo MLAs from Churachandpur — LM Khaute and Ngursanglur Sanate — physically attended the oath-taking ceremony at Lok Bhavan, Imphal, on February 4. Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, along with the two MLAs, also attended the state assembly session on February 5 in virtual mode.