Imphal : A lone woman minister who belongs to a Kuki community has sought for grant of leave for the Assembly session on August 29.Nemcha Kipgen, Minister Textiles, Commerce and Industry and Co-operation, who was among 10 Kuki MLAs seeking separate administration for the Kuki-Zo communities has requested the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly for grant of leave for the Assembly session on August 29.

In a letter sent to the Speaker, Th Satyabrata, Nemcha Kipgen states, “Ever since the ethnic violence erupted in Manipur since May 3, 2023, it has not been possible for me and my family members to stay at Imphal on grounds of safety and security.”

“Due to the ongoing violent crisis and keeping in mind the law and order situation in Imphal, I will not be able to attend the upcoming day session  – the 4th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly due on August 29, at 11 a.m.,” the letter states.

“I have also consulted with security professionals who strongly recommend that I exercise caution and refrain from attending the session due to the volatile law and order situation in Imphal, Manipur,” the letter adds.

She is the first Kuki MLA to have sought leave from being convened of the assembly session. In the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly, there are 10 assembly seats reserved for Kuki-Zo communities.

Notably, the 10 Kuki MLAs submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 16. In the memorandum they have, demanded a separate chief secretary and police chief for the hill districts maintaining that there is a threat to their lives from Meitei groups.

In the ethnic violence between the Kukis and Meiteis over 150 individuals lost their lives and around 60,000 persons are displaced.