Northeast Desk, 27th September: In a bold and alarming move, Manipur rights activist Malem Thongam on Thursday called for the immediate removal of 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs from the state legislative assembly, threatening to self-immolate outside the Chief Minister’s bungalow if his demands are not met within 10 days.
Thongam, addressing the media, accused the Kuki-Zo legislators of playing an active role in the ongoing crisis in Manipur, particularly with their calls for a separate administration. “The Kuki-Zo MLAs have been actively involved in the crisis in the state, especially regarding the demand for a separate administration,” Thongam said. Despite these actions, he lamented the lack of any disciplinary measures from the government or the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He further criticized the BJP for not taking a firm stand against the issue, particularly their failure to expel seven of the Kuki-Zo legislators from the party’s primary membership, despite their calls for a separate administration.
“My demand is the removal of the 10 legislators from the House. If the demand is not met within 10 days, I will self-immolate outside the CM’s bungalow,” the activist warned, intensifying the political tension in the state. Thongam also submitted formal queries to Chief Minister N Biren Singh and state BJP president A Sharda, asking what action, if any, had been taken against two Kuki-Zo cabinet ministers for their role in pushing for the separate administration.
The activist’s ultimatum comes against the backdrop of ongoing ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which have claimed more than 200 lives since May 2023. The violence has further deepened divisions in the state, with calls for separate administrative zones exacerbating tensions. Thongam’s demand, if acted upon, could escalate the already volatile situation in Manipur’s political and ethnic landscape.
The state government has yet to issue a formal response to Thongam’s threat, while the activist’s call is expected to put further pressure on the BJP-led administration, which has faced criticism over its handling of the ethnic strife in Manipur.