First Cabinet meeting held in the Ukhrul district of Manipur, bordering Myanmar in presence of CM N Biren Singh

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• Oct 18, 2023 | Poonam Nath

The cabinet meeting was held for the first time in the Ukhrul district, which borders Myanmar on the east...

Digital Desk: On Wednesday, the state cabinet met without two Kuki cabinet members at the Mini Secretariat of the District Commissioner, Ukhul District.

The cabinet meeting was held for the first time in the Ukhrul district, which borders Myanmar on the east and is primarily populated by Naga populations.

The BJP-led administration in Manipur is led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, but two Kuki ministers — Nemcha Kipgen and Letpao Haokip — boycotted the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, ostensibly due to the current religious violence that occurred on May 3.

 The Manipur Legislative Assembly has 60 members, including 10 Kuki MLAs requesting autonomous rule in the state.

They had also skipped the state assembly's recently ended budget session.

According to official sources, CM Biren Singh flew to Ukhrul while ministers and ruling MLAs took the road to the district headquarters, which is around 82 kilometres from Imphal.

Notably, a cabinet meeting was previously conducted in Kangpokpi district headquarters, which is primarily populated by Kukis, and the administration has planned a cabinet meeting in Chandel district headquarters, according to reports.

The Kuku communities are also predominant in Manipur's Chandel district.