Imphal: Six Kuki-Zo-Hmar legislators attended the Manipur Assembly session on Monday, joining the proceedings virtually during the ongoing budget session, marking their first such participation since the outbreak of ethnic violence in the state in May 2023.
The seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which was adjourned sine die on February 5, resumed on Monday. The session commenced with obituary speeches by sitting Members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Six of the nine Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs attended the budget through video conferencing, with their presence displayed live on a screen inside the Assembly hall.
The legislators who joined virtually included Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen; LM Khaute, MLA, 58-Churachandpur (ST) Assembly Constituency; Letzamang Haokip, MLA, 57-Henglep Assembly Constituency; Ngursanglur Sanate, MLA, 55-Tipaimukh (ST) Assembly Constituency; Kimneo Haokip Hansing, MLA, 46-Saikul (ST) Assembly Constituency and Haokholet Kipgen, MLA, 51-Saitu (ST) Assembly Constituency. MLA Khaute even participated in the debate for obituary reference.
Leader of the House and Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh described the participation of the Kuki-Zo-Hmar legislators as a positive development. Speaking to officials, he said their attendance marked an encouraging step towards the normalisation of the prevailing situation in the state.
Speaker of State Assembly, Thokchom Satyabrata Singh welcomed the move, noting that three Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs, NemchaKipgen, L M Khaute and Ngusanglur Sanate participated in the session through video conference.
The Speaker later informed the House that Letpao Haokip had sought leave of absence during the budget session as he was ill. The house unanimously agreed to grant him the leave.
Also Read: Manipur Legislative Assembly session set to resume on March 9
Meanwhile, official sources said that the state government had earlier made elaborate arrangements for the Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs to participate in the budget session through video conference. Preparations were made at NIC Kangpokpi, NIC Churachandpur, Manipur Bhawan Guwahati and New Delhi to enable the tribal MLAs attend the assembly session.
During the session, members across party lines paid tribute to several prominent personalities, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Manipur Governor La Ganesan, along with a number of former legislators and officials associated with the Assembly.
During the session, Speaker of the House, Thokchom Satyabrata Singh moved a resolution regarding the demises and expressed his deep and profound sorrow. The House adopted a resolution to condole the demises and observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls.
Several legislators and other members of the house participated in the obituary discussions and expressed condolences for all deceased leaders who had contributed to the state’s political and administrative life.
