MNYO and FNCC submitted a memorandum seeking removal of Manipur Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen over alleged misuse of tribal funds.
Imphal, May 23: Nemcha Kipgen is facing allegations of misuse and discriminatory allocation of tribal development funds after two Naga civil organisations submitted a joint memorandum and ultimatum to top constitutional authorities, Union ministers, BJP leaders and the Manipur government demanding her removal from key portfolios.
The memorandum was jointly submitted by the Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) and the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC). It was addressed to the President of India, Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, Tribal Affairs Minister, Panchayati Raj Minister, Rural Development Minister, Governor of Manipur and Chief Minister of Manipur, among others.
The organisations sought the removal of the Tribal Affairs and Hills portfolio and the chairpersonship of the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation (MTDC) from Nemcha Kipgen, who currently serves as Deputy Chief Minister handling Tribal Affairs & Hills and Rural Development & Panchayati Raj departments in the Government of Manipur.
In the memorandum, the organisations alleged that the deputy chief minister has not been stationed in Imphal since the formation of the new government in February 2026. They stated that this was their second appeal after an earlier representation dated March 25, 2026 allegedly did not receive any response from the state government.
The memorandum also appealed to several national leaders and offices, including Droupadi Murmu, Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, BJP national president Nitin Nabin and BJP national general secretary (organisation) B. L. Santhosh.
The organisations alleged that tribal funds sanctioned under Article 275(1) of the Constitution for the financial years 2025-26 and 2026-27 had been disproportionately allocated to Kuki-majority areas, particularly Kangpokpi constituency, Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts.
According to the memorandum, several schemes and works, including the construction of ten multipurpose community halls, were allegedly sanctioned mainly in Kuki-dominated regions, while seven Naga-majority hill districts — Chandel, Tengnoupal, Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tamenglong, Noney and Senapati — were allegedly excluded from the distribution of funds.
The organisations claimed that the allocation reflected “communal intention” and alleged that the implementation of tribal development programmes lacked fairness and transparency. They further expressed concern that funds under the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj departments could also allegedly be diverted disproportionately to Kuki-majority areas.
The memorandum stated that many Nagas, Meiteis and Nepalis also reside in districts such as Churachandpur, Pherzawl and Kangpokpi, but alleged that development schemes were concentrated only in Kuki-dominated localities while non-Kuki villages were neglected.
The groups demanded immediate cancellation of all schemes, works and projects allegedly sanctioned unfairly under the 2025-26 and 2026-27 programmes. They called for redistribution of Article 275(1) funds equally across all districts before May 31, 2026.
The organisations also issued an ultimatum, warning that if no action is taken within the stipulated timeframe, they would launch “various forms of agitation” in the public interest.
The memorandum additionally referred to allegations concerning Nemcha Kipgen’s husband, Semtinthang Kipgen alias Thangboi, whom the organisations identified as president of the Kuki National Front (KNF-P), a Suspension of Operations (SoO) group. The groups alleged that tribal funds could potentially be misused in support of unlawful activities, including illegal procurement of arms and ammunition. No evidence supporting these allegations was attached to the memorandum.
The memorandum was signed by DLL Naga, president of MNYO; Poudinlung Riamei, general secretary of MNYO; Akhiu Ngaomai, convenor of FNCC; and B. Robin, secretary of FNCC.
No response from Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen or the Manipur government was available at the time of filing this report.
