Kuki Inpi Manipur rejects CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s Kangpokpi visit, saying it was not involved in the engagement and remains committed to Separate Administration.
Kangpokpi, August 9: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) on Sunday rejected Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s recent visit to Kangpokpi, stating that the apex Kuki body was neither involved in nor authorised the engagement.
In a public statement issued by its Secretariat on August 9, KIM clarified that the Chief Minister’s visit to Kangpokpi on Saturday was undertaken following an invitation from certain district-level civil society organisations (CSOs) in Kangpokpi.
The organisation stressed that the invitation did not come from KIM and was not issued under its direction, authorisation or mandate.
KIM said it strongly objected to the engagement, particularly in the context of the Kuki people’s ongoing demand for Separate Administration.
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According to the statement, the actions of the district-level CSOs should not be interpreted as representing the collective position, consent or mandate of KIM or the Kuki people.
“KIM will not compromise, dilute, or barter away the political aspirations and collective interests of the Kuki people,” the organisation stated, arguing that such interests should not be set aside for temporary engagements, personal interests or political considerations.
The organisation also categorically rejected the Chief Minister’s visit and the engagements held during his visit to Kangpokpi.
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KIM maintained that it remained committed to what it described as the political aspirations and collective mandate of the Kuki people.
The statement further appealed to the Kuki public to remain vigilant and united on the issue. It said isolated engagements or unilateral actions should not be allowed to undermine the community’s political aspirations.
The statement comes a day after Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, along with Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen, visited Kangpokpi district headquarters and announced the immediate reopening of the National Highways for free movement of all communities.
The Chief Minister’s visit was his first official visit to Kangpokpi since the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur in May 2023.
