Kuki community MLA questions purpose of brief stopover, calls it optics
In a rare internal rebuke within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Paolienlal Haokip, a legislator from the Kuki community in Manipur, openly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the violence-hit state. The MLA questioned the purpose of the short stopover in Imphal, calling it a “waste of public resources” and accusing the Prime Minister of ignoring the grievances of the people.
The Prime Minister’s visit, marked by inaugurations and public announcements, was his first in months since the outbreak of ethnic violence in 2023. However, it has reignited political debate as expectations of a roadmap for peace and rehabilitation went unmet.
Haokip Questions Modi’s Brief Stopover
Speaking to reporters after the event in Imphal, Haokip expressed disappointment with the nature of the visit. According to him, people of Manipur had hoped Modi would take time to hear their pain and aspirations.
“But not even ten minutes were spared to listen to our woes—not even from party MLAs,” Haokip said, accusing the Prime Minister of reducing the trip to mere optics.
The BJP MLA also made it clear that he would only welcome Modi in the future if the Prime Minister came with a genuine commitment to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. His comments highlight simmering dissatisfaction within sections of the BJP in Manipur, where discontent has been brewing for over two years of unrest.
Opposition and Civil Society Criticism
The Prime Minister’s stopover in Manipur drew sharp criticism not only from the Opposition but also from civil society organisations. Many argued that the visit failed to deliver tangible solutions to the displaced communities, who continue to live in relief camps with little clarity about their future.
Over 60,000 people have been displaced since violence broke out in 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. While the central government has announced aid packages and inaugurated projects, local voices stress that these measures fall short of addressing the root causes of the conflict.
Critics noted that Modi’s schedule included inaugurations and symbolic gestures but lacked direct engagement with victims of the ongoing ethnic clashes. This, they argue, signals a gap between high-profile optics and ground-level realities.
Kuki MLAs Submit Memorandum to PM Modi
During the same visit, ten legislators from the Kuki community, including members of the BJP, Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA), and Independents, submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister. The document appealed for an early political settlement and demanded the creation of a separate Union Territory with a legislature for the Kuki people.
The signatories accused the state government of complicity in the violence, alleging that minority communities were subjected to unprecedented “ethnic persecution.” According to the memorandum, the Kuki community has been systematically forced out of the Imphal valley and can no longer coexist peacefully with the majority Meitei community.
“We can now live in peace only as good neighbours, never under the same roof again,” the joint statement declared. The legislators stressed that only separation could ensure lasting peace, justice, and security for their people.
Growing Rift Within BJP in Manipur
Haokip’s comments and the memorandum from Kuki legislators highlight a widening fault line within the BJP in Manipur. While the party leadership has sought to project unity, voices from the ground suggest rising discontent among its minority representatives.
Political analysts argue that such open criticism from within the party is significant, as it exposes the limits of centralised crisis management in a state fractured by ethnic strife. Moreover, the demand for a separate Union Territory reflects the depth of mistrust and alienation among the Kuki community, which sees no viable path to reconciliation under the current framework.
The developments put the BJP in a difficult position. On one hand, it must maintain its hold on the state; on the other, it risks alienating minority allies whose support remains crucial for governance.
Road Ahead for Manipur’s Peace Process
The resurfacing of tensions during Modi’s visit underscores the fragile state of peace in Manipur. Relief camps remain overcrowded, displaced families continue to struggle with uncertainty, and rehabilitation measures move slowly.
Observers believe that unless the government initiates inclusive dialogue with both Meitei and Kuki communities, mistrust will deepen further. Civil society groups have repeatedly called for confidence-building steps, rehabilitation packages, and a long-term roadmap for political reconciliation.
For now, Haokip’s sharp remarks and the Kuki legislators’ demand for separation underline the urgency of addressing ethnic grievances through more than symbolic gestures. Whether the Prime Minister or the BJP leadership will respond to these concerns with concrete action remains an open question.