New Delhi: Kuki-Zo members of the legislative assembly of Manipur have expressed hope that the Union government will prepare a plan for peace to return to the state which is now under President’s Rule.
The Hindu has reported that the MLAs issued a joint statement on February 16, saying that they look forward to time-bound measures to end the sufferings that the ethnic conflict which started in May 2023 unveiled.
“While acknowledging the Centre’s decision to place the Assembly under suspended animation, we express hope that the Government of India would lay out a comprehensive political road map for peace and justice under a negotiated settlement,” the MLAs said.
Seven of the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs are in the Bharatiya Janata Party, which was in power in the state till President’s Rule was announced on February 13.
The announcement came days after the resignation of chief minister N. Biren Singh.
Kuki-Zo people have asked for a separate territory, based on the belief that it is not going to be possible for members of the community to live alongside the majority Meitei population. The state is sharply divided along ethnic lines and members of one community do not travel into territory under the control of another.
Meanwhile, the report also had it that an operation in the Churachandpur district under Kuki-Zo control has led to the arrest of seven suspected members of the Kuki National Army, an extremist group and the recovery of arms.
Several outlets have also reported that the Manipur Police have begun an investigation into fraudulent telephone calls which were received by some MLAs “attempting to influence and mislead the legislators by exploiting the ongoing political situation in the state.”
A senior police official was quoted as having said that “an FIR has been registered in Imphal police station on Saturday and necessary legal action is underway.” It is unclear whether only Kuki-Zo MLAs were targeted with these calls.
