No Candidate from Kuki People for 18th Lok Sabha Elections: Kukis' Top Bodies

In a joint meeting called by the Department of Political Affairs of Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the Kuki apex body and its frontal organisations have resolved that not a single individual from the Kuki-Zo communities would contest the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha Elections for the II-outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, the poll of which is slated to be held in two phases on April 19 and 26.

The meeting was held at KIM Secretariat, Lamka, on March 24, 2024, under the aegis of Kuki Inpi Manipur, apex body of Kuki Tribes, attended by KIM Executives, leaders from the Kuki Chiefs' Association, Manipur (KCA-M), Kuki Inpi Churachandpur (KIC), Kuki Inpi Chandel (KICh), Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO-GHQ), Kuki Khanglai Lawmpi (KKL-GHQ), Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) and several other dignitaries.

Sources said that the resolution was adopted after extensive consultations on the issue with all tribe leaders and several other stakeholders. Considering the plight of the Kuki-Zo people in the wake of State-sponsored ethnic cleansing pogrom against the minority community under the leadership of a narcissist N. Biren Singh, the Kuki apex body has taken its decision not to enter into the fray in the ensuing General Elections, but to franchise the people's right to vote.

Sources also said that the Kuki bodies would further deliberate on the matter of extending support to any candidate or political party who could uphold or back the aspirations of the Kuki people.

The Presidential Council of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) has also issued an advisory notice to the members of the Kuki-Zo community not to file a nomination for the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha Election.

"The ITLF Presidential Council, in consultation with its constituent member tribes, have agreed that no member from the Kuki-Zo community should file nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha Election, considering the plight that we are facing," the Advisory Notice said.

However, as Indian citizens, the ITLF advised Kuki-Zo community members to exercise their right to franchise by voting in the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2024 but abstain from contesting for the outer Manipur Member of Parliament seat.

Meanwhile, the official candidate of the Naga People's Front (NPF), Kachui Timothy Zimik, has filed his nomination paper for the Outer Manipur seat today at Thoubal DC Office. The ruling BJP had extended its support to the NPF, without fielding its own candidate. The Congress' official candidate, Alfred K. Arthur, is yet to file his nomination.