In a significant development amid the continuing ethnic crisis in Manipur, two Kuki-Zo legislators attended the state Assembly in person on Wednesday for the first time in more than three years.
Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen and Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing were present during the opening sitting of the eighth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly in Imphal.
The physical presence of the two MLAs comes more than three years after ethnic violence erupted in the state on May 3, 2023. Since then, most Kuki-Zo legislators had stayed away from the Assembly in Imphal and largely avoided travelling to the valley.
Speaking as he arrived at the Assembly, Haokholet Kipgen said he was happy to return and participate in the proceedings after a long gap.
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, who is also from the Kuki-Zo community, joined the session virtually.
The development was welcomed by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who described the return of the legislators as a positive sign for peace and reconciliation.
“This is a good sign from the people’s representatives, and it is a welcome step,” the Chief Minister said.
Khemchand Singh said the state could move towards lasting peace through collective efforts and dialogue among all communities. He attributed the development partly to the state government’s continued efforts to address grievances and bridge the trust gap between different sections of society.
The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to inclusive dialogue, reconciliation and restoring normalcy in the violence-affected state.
The development comes despite an appeal by the Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Kuki tribal community, which on August 31 had directed all Kuki-Zo MLAs not to travel to Imphal for the Assembly session until a political settlement was reached on their demand for a separate administration.
The organisation had argued that participating in regular Assembly proceedings without resolving the community’s core political demands would go against the collective position and aspirations of the Kuki-Zo people.
Kuki-Zo organisations have been seeking a separate political administration, including a Union Territory with a legislature, for the tribal population of Manipur.
There are 10 Kuki-Zo legislators in the 60-member Manipur Assembly, including Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and six other BJP MLAs.
Since the outbreak of violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023, most Kuki-Zo legislators had boycotted Assembly proceedings in person. Some had, however, participated in earlier sittings virtually, including after the BJP government led by Khemchand Singh took office on February 4, 2026.
