Six of the 10 MLAs from Kuki-dominated areas have already asked the Assembly speaker for a leave of absence...
Digital Desk: The crucial one-day session of the Manipur Assembly is likely to discuss the state’s prevailing situation of ethnic strife, although most of the Kuki MLAs on Tuesday, regardless of party affiliations, are likely to skip the session over safety concerns.
Six of the 10 MLAs from Kuki-dominated areas have already asked the Assembly speaker for a leave of absence.
According to an official, Social Welfare and Cooperation Minister Nemcha Kipgen, MLA of Kangpokpi, submitted her application on Saturday, while five legislators applied for their leave to the speaker on Monday.
Letpao Haokip (Tengnoupal), the minister for tribal and hill affairs, Khaute, Kimneo Hangshing (Saikul), Haokholet Kipgen (Saitu), and Letzamang Haokip (Henglep), a legislator, were among the MLAs who requested a leave of absence on Monday.
The social welfare and cooperation minister claimed in her appeal that she and her family have been unable to reside in Imphal due to security concerns ever since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3.
Last month, the state government had suggested holding a session by August 21; however, after not receiving approval from the Raj Bhavan, it later changed its recommendation to August 28. The chief minister's office revealed last week that the assembly will resume on August 29.
According to the rules, an assembly session must be convened every six months, and the most recent one was in March.
The session was recently denounced by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), who claimed that the circumstances did not make it possible for Kuki-Zo MLAs to participate.
Both the organizations stated in a joint statement on Sunday that calling the session "is devoid of logic and rationality" in light of the total breakdown of law and order and the state government's failure to protect the lives of citizens and officials. The session is an eyewash and not in the public interest, according to former Manipur chief minister and Congress politician Okram Ibobi Singh, who made this statement on Saturday.
Since ethnic violence in Manipur started on May 3, more than 160 people have died and hundreds have been injured.
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