Kuki-Zo organisations have called a total shutdown in Kuki-Zo–dominated areas of Manipur to protest the participation of community MLAs in the formation of the new state government.
The Churachandpur-based Joint Forum of Seven announced a 12-hour shutdown on Friday from 6 am to 6 pm, opposing the involvement of certain Kuki-Zo legislators and reiterating the demand for separate administration. The forum also criticised the Centre for prioritising government formation over addressing the political demands of the Kuki-Zo community.
The Kuki Zo Council stated that any MLA participating in the government formation would be acting in an individual capacity and that the organisation would not be responsible for the consequences of such decisions.
Protests were reported on Wednesday night near Leimakhong in Kangpokpi district, where tyres and bamboo barricades were burnt to oppose the swearing-in of Nemcha Kipgen as Deputy Chief Minister.
The Kuki Liberation Army (Letkholun) warned that Kuki-Zo MLAs have no mandate to take part in forming a popular government and said those who do so would bear responsibility for any fallout.
Meanwhile, Hmar Inpui cautioned against attempts to incite violence or target the properties of elected representatives, stating that any such act would be viewed as aggression against the community. The statement followed the participation of Hmar MLA N Sanate and Zo MLA L M Khaute in a BJP-led delegation that met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to stake claim for government formation.