Not safe: Kuki MLAs, including of BJP, to skip Assembly session

People and supporters of the majority Meitei community during a protest, at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, on Sunday. Pic/PTI

Most of the Kuki MLAs irrespective of their party affiliations are unlikely to attend the Manipur Assembly session slated to be called from August 21, according to leaders from the community.

An apex Meitei organisation COCOMI, which has been spearheading demands for an early session of the assembly to "unanimously" reject demands for separate administrative units for Kukis, however, claimed that it would ensure safety of tribal MLAs if "they really want to come."

LM Khaute, BJP MLA for Churachandpur, told PTI that the violence and the lack of a resolution to demands made by the Kukis for a separate administration, it "will not make it possible for all the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar MLAs to attend the session."

There are 10 Kuki-Zomi MLAs, including seven from the BJP, two from the Kuki People's Alliance (KPA) and one independent, in the 60-member Manipur House.
KPA chief Tongmang Haokip also said, "The MLAs will not be safe travelling to Imphal - one BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte who represents Thanlon was badly assaulted there, he is still under medical care."

Later in the day, the KPA announced withdrawal of support from the N Biren Singh-led NDA government in Manipur.

The KPA has two MLAs in the state. Party chief Haokip informed about the party's decision in a letter to Governor Anusuiya Uikey.

The BJP has 32 members in the Manipur Assembly, while it has support of five NPF MLAs and three independent legislators.

10
No. of Kuki MLAs in Manipur Assembly

May 4 sex assault: 5 cops suspended

The Manipur police have suspended five police personnel including the station incharge of the area where two women were stripped and paraded by a mob on May 4, officers said on Sunday. The officers claimed the action was taken immediately after the video of the incident surfaced on July 19.

Meanwhile, 15 houses set on fire in Imphal West district where fresh violence broke out on Saturday, officials said on Sunday. A 45-year-old man was shot and is stated to be out of danger.

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