Manipur's 10 tribal MLAs 'won't attend assembly session'

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

MLAs, who have been demanding a separate administration for tribals in Manipur, will skip the state assembly session scheduled to begin from August 21, citing security reasons as the session will be held in Imphal, which is Meitei-dominated. The Kuki-Zo MLAs, including seven from the ruling BJP, have sent a petition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking creation of the posts of chief secretary and director general of police for the five hill districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel, Tengnoupal and Pherzaw.

They also sought ₹500 crore from the Prime Minister Relief Fund for proper rehabilitation of the Zomi-Kuki people. Spokesman for the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), Ginza Vualzong said that tribal ministers, MLAs and the public are wary of visiting Meitei-dominated Imphal.

«Even members of the state assembly are not spared. MLA Vungzagin Valte and his driver were waylaid while he was returning after a meeting at the chief minister's bungalow in May.

His driver was beaten to death, and the MLA was tortured and beaten and left for dead. The MLA, however, was rescued by the security forces and rushed to New Delhi, where he is slowly recovering, but left incapacitated both physically and mentally,» the memorandum stated.

It said houses of two other Cabinet ministers — Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen — were razed during the riots. The MLAs said that even IAS and IPS officers belonging to the Kuki- Zomi tribes have been unable to function.