Meitei Leepun has announced a social boycott of Alfred Kan-Ngam Arthur, the Outer Member of Parliament (MP) from Manipur, effective from July 31, 2024. The boycott comes in response to statements made by Arthur during his maiden speech in Parliament, which Meitei Leepun claims advocate for the interests of Kukis.
It may be noted that Alfred Kanngam Arthur, in his maiden speech in the Lok Sabha, stated that the origin of the yearlong conflict in the state of Manipur is Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. He attributed the cause of the violence to Mr. N. Biren Singh, accusing him of inciting hatred and spreading divisive rhetoric among the different communities living in the state. The Outer MP also called for the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP central leadership to replace N. Biren Singh from his post. He said, ‘Is it too difficult to replace one man to achieve normalcy in the state of Manipur? BJP and its allies have 49 legislators in the Manipur assembly. Replacing one man to achieve peace won’t affect their government. Why is the BJP leadership so reluctant to remove the originator of violence in Manipur, Mr. N. Biren Singh, from his chair?’
The statement by the Outer MP has angered Meitei Leepun, as they cannot tolerate anyone speaking against their political leader. It is a well-known fact that Meitei Leepun and Arambai Tenggol are radical groups patronized by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. If the CM is removed from his position, it poses a threat to their existence as organizations. Their relevance depends on the tenure of the CM holding the office of Chief Minister of Manipur.
The organization criticized Alfred Kan-Ngam Arthur for what they perceive as his support for the Kuki agenda, stating that his stance not only opposes the government’s efforts to protect the indigenous people of Manipur but also disrespects those who have sacrificed their lives in defense of the state’s sovereignty and national security.
As a result, Meitei Leepun has called for a social boycott of Arthur, urging the community to reject his actions and statements that they believe threaten the stability and security of Manipur.
