The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki tribes, has distanced itself from Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh’s recent visit to Kangpokpi, saying that the organisation neither invited nor authorised the chief minister’s engagement in the district.
In a statement issued on August 9, KIM said the chief minister’s visit was undertaken at the invitation of certain district-level civil society organisations and not at the invitation, direction, authorisation or mandate of the Kuki Inpi.
The apex Kuki organisation strongly objected to the visit and the engagements held during it, particularly against the backdrop of the Kuki community’s continuing demand for a separate administration.
“KIM categorically rejects” the chief minister’s visit and the engagements conducted during it, the organisation said.
KIM maintained that the actions of district-level civil society organisations should not be interpreted as representing the collective position, consent or mandate of either the Kuki Inpi or the wider Kuki community.
The organisation said it would not compromise, dilute or barter away the political aspirations and collective interests of the Kuki people for temporary engagements, personal interests or political expediency.
KIM also urged the Kuki community to remain “clear, vigilant and united” on the issue, asserting that its political aspirations could not be undermined through isolated engagements or unilateral actions.
The statement was issued by D David Haokip, Assistant Secretary, Information and Publicity, Kuki Inpi Manipur.
