Manipur Governor Summons Assembly Session on August 29; uncertainty looms over the attendance of 20 MLAs from the hills.

In the eye of a “constitutional crisis”, the Manipur legislative assembly has been summoned by the state governor Anusuiya Uikey on August 29. This will be the fourth session that will happen amidst the ongoing turmoil in the state. This comes days after a special session of the assembly, recommended by the cabinet for August 21, could not take place since the Governor didn’t approve it. The session is expected to discuss the existing situation of volatility in the state. Manipur had erupted in massive tension on May 3 leading to ethnic violence and clashes that lasted for over 100 days. More than 160 people have lost their lives and more than 60000 people are displaced, as per official data since the violence began.

The notification issued by the Raj Bhavan read that the “4th Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly to meet at 11.00 AM on Tuesday, the 29th August, 2023 in the Assembly Hall, Imphal.”

There are 60 members at the Manipur assembly. Uncertainty looms if all the MLAs will attend the session. The Legislative assembly is in the capital Imphal but the state is divided between the hills and the plains. Since violence broke out people from the two major communities have maintained their separation by restricting movements between the plains and the hills. There are 20 MLAs from the hills of Manipur. Out of them, 10 MLAs from the Kuki community have refused to attend the session citing security challenges in Imphal. Another 10 MLAs from the Naga community are yet to confirm their attendance since their apex body United Naga Council (UNC), has called for a boycott of the session.

The divide in Manipur had reached the monsoon session of parliament where the opposition had even moved a no-0confidence motion demanding a response from the Prime Minister. Both Union Home Minister Amit Shah and PM Modi had assured that the situation will soon be brought under control and adequate measures are being adopted for the same. This assembly session will also come amidst murmurs within the state rank of the ruling BJP if there should be a change of guard. While Home Minister Amit Shah had backed CM N Biren Singh in the parliament, a section of BJP leaders in Manipur aren’t too happy with him, claim sources.​