Meiteis perpetrated violence; provide separate admin for hills: 10 Kuki MLAs

May 3 violence in Manipur was perpetrated by the majority Meitei community with 'tacit support' of the BJP-run state government, 10 Kuki MLAs belonging to BJP and two other parties alleged at a news conference in Guwahati on Friday. They demanded a separate administration for the hills.

"As the state of Manipur has miserably failed to protect us, we seek of the Union of India a separate administration under the Constitution of India to live peacefully as neighbours with the state of Manipur," a statement issued by the MLAs said.

"Our people can no longer exist under Manipur as the hatred against our tribal community reached such a height that MLAs, ministers, pastors, police, civil officers, laymen, women and even children were not spared, not to mention destruction of places of worships, homes and properties," the MLAs said in a joint statement. Among MLAs who demanded a separate administration were five BJP MLAs, two JDU MLAs, two KPA MLAs, and one Independent. The hills account for 90% of the state's area but only less than 43% population. Out of the 60 legislators, the valley has representation in 40 assembly seats.


The state remained restive, nine days after the violence. An Assam Rifles jawan was injured while diffusing an improvised explosive device in Saitan village of Bishnupur district on Friday evening. Police said that security forces continued combing operations, a day after a police commando was killed and four injured when suspected Kuki militants attacked a police patrol party at Tronglaobi in the same district. Around 128 columns of the Army and Assam Rifles continued flag marches in violence-hit areas of different districts.

Authorities relaxed curfew for 4-9 hours in 11 districts, including Imphal West and Churachandpur. Mobile internet services have remained suspended since May 4, affecting banking, business and important government and non-government services. Manipur witnessed unprecedented violence and arson in more than 10 districts.