Kuki MLAs afraid of travelling to Imphal, likely to skip assembly session

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Kuki MLAs irrespective of their party affiliations are unlikely to attend the Manipur assembly session slated to be called from August 21 in view of the continued ethnic violence, according to leaders from the community. An apex Meitei organisation COCOMI, which has been spearheading demands for an early session of the assembly to «unanimously» reject demands for separate administrative units for Kukis, however, claimed that it would ensure safety of tribal MLAs if «they really want to come.» «In view of the prevailing law and order situation and the continuing violence in Manipur, it will not be possible on my part to attend the upcoming session,» said LM Khaute, BJP MLA for Churachandpur, one of the worst-hit districts by the ongoing race riots, in a telephonic interview to PTI.

For good measure, Khaute added that the violence and the lack of a resolution to demands made by the Kukis for a separate administration, «will not make it possible for all the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar MLAs to attend the session.» There are 10 Kuki-Zomi MLAs, including seven from the BJP, two from the Kuki People's Alliance and one independent, in the Manipur House which has a strength of 60 members. Tongmang Haokip, president of the Kuki People's Alliance (KPA), also told PTI, «The MLAs will not be safe travelling to Imphal… one BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte who represents Thanlon was badly assaulted there, he is still under medical care.» He added that this apprehension could be addressed only «if there is a guarantee from the state government and the Centre and adequate steps are taken for the safety of MLAs.» Without Kuki representation, analysts said it is unlikely that any meaningful discussion on the ethnic rioting which has engulfed Manipur for the