Consequent to the ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities which sparked off since May 3, 2023 and continues unabated, now slipped into a civil war-like situation, the Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) has withdrawn its support to the Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh-led government of Manipur.
In a letter addressed to the Governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey, on Sunday, the KPA stated that 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“Accordingly, the support of the KPA to the Government of Manipur is hereby withdrawn and can be considered null and void,” said Tongmang Haokip, President KPA.
In a 60-member House of Manipur, the Kuki People’s Alliance has two Members of Legislative Assembly, namely, Chinlunthang from Singngat Assembly constituency and Kimneo Hangshing from Saikul Assemby Constituency.
The Kuki People’s Alliance is a new political party recognised by the Election Commission of India (ECI) with Registration No.56/232/2021-22/PPS-IV. The political parry was formed with the objective of creating a platform for the people to express and promote the national ideology, to protect the national identity and preserve the national heritage.
The party committed to strive for the welfare of the Hill people, for the integrity of the people and their lands, their sustainable development, strengthen fraternity and for peaceful and harmonious coexistence.
In the last Assembly Elections in 2022, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained power in the state by winning an absolute majority with 32 seats in the 60-member House. Congress bagged five seats and the NPP won seven seats. Naga People’s Front bagged five and the Kuki People’s Alliance got two seats. Independents bagged three seats.
In the event of devastated ethnic violence in the State, nine Meitei MLAs, including eight from the Bharatiya Janata Party, had on July 21, submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office stating that the people of the state “have lost complete faith” in the N Biren Singh government.
The nine signatory MLAs in that memorandum included Th. Radheshyam from Heirok A/C, Nishikant Sapam from Keishamthong A/c, Kh. Raghumani from Uripok A/c, S. Brojen from Wangjing A/c, T Robindro from Thanga A/c, S. Rajen from Lamsang A/c, S. Kebi from Naoriya Pakhanglakpa A/c, Y. Radheshyam from Hiyanglam A/c.
The ethnic violence has left more than 150 persons dead, over 500 injured and thousands displaced. Nearly 60,000 are taking shelter in different relief camps.
