Kuki-Zo MLAs have been directed by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki community, to stay away from the upcoming Manipur Assembly session. The directive comes ahead of the eighth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, scheduled to begin on September 2, amid the continuing political crisis in the state.
KIM said participation in the Assembly at this stage would be inconsistent with the political position of the Kuki-Zo community. It maintained that the community’s demand for a separate political administration remains unresolved and that legislative proceedings should not be presented as a sign that normalcy has returned to Manipur.
Kuki-Zo MLAs asked to skip September session
The Kuki Inpi Manipur issued the directive on August 31, asking the legislators not to travel to Imphal for the Assembly session. The organisation said the instruction would remain relevant pending a political settlement on the demand for a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo people.
KIM argued that the fundamental political question concerning the future of the community has not been resolved. It said resuming normal legislative business without addressing that issue could weaken the community’s political position.
The organisation also called for unity and discipline among the legislators. It warned that those who disregard the directive could be viewed as having departed from the collective political position and aspirations of the Kuki-Zo people.
Separate administration remains key demand
The demand for a separate political administration has remained a central issue in the Kuki-Zo community’s political position since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023.
KIM said the demand cannot simply be put aside while the Assembly resumes its regular proceedings. According to the organisation, participation by the community’s legislators could create an impression that the political crisis has been resolved.
The body therefore urged its representatives to demonstrate solidarity with the community and maintain a clear political position. It also opposed any attempt to use their presence in the Assembly to project a return to “business as usual.”
Manipur Assembly session has three sittings
The Manipur Legislative Assembly’s eighth session is officially scheduled from September 2 to September 7. However, the provisional calendar provides for only three sitting days — September 2, September 3 and September 7. The Assembly’s official portal confirms the session dates.
The first sitting will include obituary references, presentation of the Business Advisory Committee report, the first batch of supplementary grants for 2026-27 and introduction of government Bills.
The September 3 sitting is scheduled to include Question Hour and a general discussion on the supplementary grants. The final sitting on September 7 will cover questions, discussion and voting on the grants, introduction of the Appropriation Bill and consideration of government Bills.
The short schedule has already drawn criticism from the Opposition. Congress Legislature Party leader K Meghachandra has sought more sitting days, arguing that the state needs adequate time to discuss its continuing political and security challenges.
Political significance of the boycott
The latest directive adds another layer of political tension ahead of the Assembly session. The Kuki Inpi Manipur has made clear that it does not consider the resumption of legislative proceedings sufficient evidence of a settlement.
The position also highlights the continuing divide over how Manipur’s political institutions should function amid unresolved ethnic and administrative disputes. The Assembly is expected to conduct routine legislative business, while KIM wants its legislators to maintain their distance until a political solution is reached.
The individual decisions of the legislators regarding attendance will be closely watched. KIM’s directive is a political instruction from the community’s apex body, and reports have noted that compliance by all 10 legislators remains to be seen.
The boycott call comes at a time when other groups are also demanding greater Assembly discussion on Manipur’s unresolved issues. Veteran politician O Joy has separately called for extending the session, saying three sittings are inadequate to address the problems confronting the state.
With the Assembly set to meet from September 2, the response of the Kuki-Zo legislators will be significant. Their attendance, or continued absence, is likely to underline the wider political disagreement over the future administrative arrangement of Manipur and the search for a lasting settlement.
Meta description: Kuki-Zo MLAs have been directed to boycott the Manipur Assembly session from September 2 as the demand for separate political administration remains unresolved.
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