The inquiry committee constituted by the Manipur Assembly on Wednesday to look “into the influx of illegal immigrants and unnatural growth of new villages” in the strife-hit state, suffered a setback with a minister belonging to the Kuki-Zo community publicly distancing himself from the panel. The setting up of the panel was mooted by chief minister N. Biren Singh.

Letpao Haokip, the cabinet minister for tribal affairs & hills, horticulture & soil conservation, on Friday, issued a clarification, stating “... I have neither any knowledge about my appointment nor given my consent” to the committee constituted by the Assembly secretary on August 7 “mentioning my name as one of the members”.

He further reiterated, “I, along with 9 other MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community did not attend the ongoing Manipur Legislative Assembly session. The question of being a part of the said committee therefore does not arise.”

The ten Kuki-Zo MLAs, including seven from the ruling BJP, have not been attending the Assembly session due to security reasons in the valley since the ethnic conflict with the majority Meitei community erupted on May 3, 2003. At least 226 persons have died and 60,000 displaced in the conflict.

There are three more ministers in the 12-member Assembly panel to inquire about illegal immigrants. Awangbow Newmai, a minister from the Naga community, is the chairman of the committee which has been tasked to submit its report within three months.

Haokip’s clarification issued on his official letterhead once again reflects the gap between the two communities in conflict and their “resolve” not to be seen on the same page as the ruling dispensation headed by Biren Singh, those following the unrest said.

The Kuki-Zos blame Biren Singh for the conflict while the Meiteis blame the rebel outfits under suspension of operation and the influx of individuals and narco-terrorists from across neighbouring Myanmar and who have “illegally” settled in the state for fanning the unrest.

The state government has been taking various steps to check the influx from trying to expedite the fencing along the Myanmar border and pushing for the implementation of the NRC, a demand of leading Meitei-based organisations as the influx a key reason for the unrest. These moves are seen by Kuki-Zo organisations as targetting the community, a reason fuelling their separate administration demand.

Kuki-Zo volunteers die

At least three persons were killed in a gunfight between Kuki village volunteers and members of the United Kuki Liberation Front, a militant outfit under suspension of operation, in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district bordering Myanmar.