Manipur: All Kuki MLAs demand separate administrative posts for five tribal-majority districts

All the 10 Kuki MLAs in Manipur on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for separate administrative posts, including chief secretary and director general of police, for the the five district dominated by their tribal community.

These districts are Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel, Tengnoupal and Pherzawl.

The demand comes as the northeastern state continues to reel from ethnic violence between the Kukis and the Meiteis since May 3.

The violence ensued after a rally was organised on May 3 to oppose the Meiteis’ demand for Scheduled Tribe status and has since left 187 dead and several thousands displaced. The state has also reported several incidents of rape and sexual assault against women, arson and looting of state armouries.

The legislators, including eight from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, raised the demand in a letter to the prime minister, alleging that Kuki-Zo tribals, including government employees, businessmen and students, were being subjected to violence, torture and rape by Meitei mob.

They said that due to the violence, Kuki-Zo employees “do not dare” to go to Imphal for working at the secretariat and demanded that separate administrative posts are created in the five districts to ensure efficient administration.

“It is also pertinent to mention here that even the IAS [Indian Administrative Services]...

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