As Manipur Gets New Government, Kukis Angered by Nemcha Kipgen Taking Oath as Deputy CM
New Delhi: “Blood on your hands, traitor Nemcha Kipgen.” This slogan echoed among members of the Kuki-Zo community within hours of Kipgen's appointment as deputy chief minister of Manipur in Delhi on Wednesday (February 4), underscoring the deep anger and sense of betrayal felt by sections of her own community.
Manipur, which had been under President's Rule for nearly a year amid prolonged ethnic violence, finally saw the return of an elected government helmed by new chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh in the state capital Imphal, but not without controversy.
The BJP, in its bid to project inclusivity, inducted a few MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community into the new dispensation. For many Kuki-Zo voices, however, the move has only reopened wounds rather than healed them.
In Delhi, around 50 Kuki-Zo people gathered outside Manipur Bhawan demanding Kipgen's immediate resignation, accusing her of legitimising a government they believe has failed their people.
Khemchand Singh was sworn in as chief minister and Naga People's Front MLA Losii Dikho as deputy chief minister at Manipur's Lok Bhawan on Wednesday, but Kipgen took oath as deputy chief minister in Delhi's Manipur Bhawan as opposed to the predominantly Meitei Imphal valley that members of her Kuki-Zo community remain unable to access ever since the ethnic violence broke out in May 2023.
Alongside, Konthoujam Govindas Singh and Khuraijam Loken Singh were also sworn in as ministers in the new government. Following his inauguration, the chief minister held a cabinet meeting in his bungalow in Imphal.
Khemchand Singh stakes his claim to form a new BJP-led NDA government in Manipur with governor Ajay Bhalla on February 4, 2026. Photo: @sambitswaraj/X via PTI.
Hours earlier, the president had revoked Union government rule in Manipur and Khemchand Singh, a Meitei legislator who represents the Singjamei constituency, met governor Ajay Bhalla in Imphal to stake his claim to form a new government.
Standing outside Manipur Bhawan on Wednesday evening, the protesters alleged that Kipgen “has chosen the post of deputy chief minister over her own community”.
“Our people have sacrificed their lives, they were murdered and our homes were burnt down. Entire generations have been destroyed. How can she betray us? She is a leader of the Kuki community, she cannot take such a decision on her own. She should have discussed it with the people of Manipur, because we cannot live with the Meiteis. Living together, for us, means death,” said Hoinu, one of the protesters.
Hoinu once lived in Imphal but hasn't seen her house since May 2023. Her family left the city when the ethnic violence began then. Thirty-three months later, Meitei and Kuki-Zo people remain virtually segregated from each other by securitised buffer zones separating the Imphal valley and the surrounding hills.
A protester holds a poster against Nemcha Kipgen. Photo: Yaqut Ali.
Speaking to The Wire, president of the Kuki Students' Organisation-NCR Tingbem said: “She [Kipgen] never spoke out when our people were paraded naked, butchered or killed. Now she comes forward to become our leader? No. She must resign immediately because she is not our representative.”
All BJP MLAs and National Democratic Alliance leaders from Manipur were called to Delhi to finalise the formation of a new government on Tuesday. The Union government also held separate meetings with Kuki-Zo legislators.
Of the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs in the 60-member assembly, five attended Tuesday's meeting. The BJP currently accounts for seven Kuki-Zo MLAs in Manipur, among whom L.M. Khaute and Ngursanglur Sanate apart from Nemcha also support the formation of the new government.
Prior to Wednesday's swearing-in, a number of Kuki-Zo leaders pointed to the ‘Guwahati Declaration’ adopted by civil society organisations, insurgent groups under the Suspension of Operations agreement and legislators from the community, which resolved non-participation in a popular government unless the Union government agreed to a separate administration for the hill areas in the form of a Union Territory with a legislature.
Ginza Vualzong of the Kuki-Zo Council umbrella body had insisted that any deviation from this position would be an individual decision. “If Nemcha Kipgen ignores the Guwahati Resolution, then she is going on her own, taking risks of her own,” he said.
Manipur was placed under President's Rule on February 13, 2025 in view of continuing ethnic violence, with the state assembly kept in suspended animation. More than 270 people have been killed and tens of thousands others were displaced.
On Wednesday, those gathered outside Manipur Bhawan repeatedly demanded that Kipgen step out and respond to their questions. However, authorities present at the venue did not allow any interaction, and protesters were asked to disperse.
The Wire tried reaching out to Nemcha but has not received a response as of publishing time.
As the demonstration continued, protesters set fire to posters bearing the deputy chief minister’s image. The Delhi police intervened soon after, asking the demonstrators to leave the premises, bringing the protest to an end without any engagement from the newly appointed official.
This article went live on February fifth, two thousand twenty six, at seven minutes past two at night.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
