The seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly will commence at 4 pm on Thursday, a day after Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in as Chief Minister following the revocation of President’s Rule, amid opposition from Kuki groups to the new government’s formation.
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has summoned the session, marking the formal return of legislative business nearly a year after the previous government collapsed amid prolonged ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
Singh, 62, became the 13th Chief Minister of Manipur on Wednesday, succeeding BJP leader N Biren Singh, who resigned last year as violence escalated across the state. President’s Rule had been imposed following the breakdown of governance. Singh was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Bhalla at a ceremony held at the Lok Bhavan, hours after central rule was lifted.
The first Cabinet meeting of the newly formed government was held on Wednesday night at the Chief Minister’s bungalow in Imphal. Chief Secretary Dr Puneet Kumar Goel attended the meeting along with Deputy Chief Ministers Nemcha Kipgen and L Dikho, and ministers Govindas Konthoujam and K Loken Singh.
“The meeting also marked the beginning of collective decision-making and governance for the newly constituted state cabinet,” a government release said.
Even as the Assembly prepares to convene, the political developments triggered sharp reactions from Kuki organisations. Several Kuki groups warned legislators from the community against participating in the government formation process and announced protests across Kuki Zo-dominated areas.
Also read: BJP's Yumnam Khemchand Singh sworn in as Manipur CM
The Joint Forum of Seven (JF7), a tribal organisation based in Churachandpur district, called for a “total shutdown” from 6 am to 6 pm on Friday. It urged villagers to participate in democratic protests while reiterating the demand for a separate Kuki administration.
The Kuki Zo Council said any community MLA choosing to disregard its collective decision would be acting in an individual capacity, adding that the organisation would not be accountable for consequences arising from such “unilateral decisions”.
Some Kuki militant groups also issued warnings. The Kuki Liberation Army (Letkholun) said it was issuing a “clear and final warning” to Kuki Zo representatives against participating in government formation, stating that such actions would amount to a “betrayal of the community people”.
On Wednesday night, protesters burnt tyres and blocked roads with bamboo sticks near Leimakhong in Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district to oppose the swearing-in of Nemcha Kipgen as Deputy Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, the Hmar Inpui cautioned against violence, saying it had received credible inputs of attempts to incite unrest and warned against targeting properties or residences of elected representatives.
Manipur has witnessed ethnic violence since May 3, 2023, with at least 260 people killed and thousands displaced.
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