Highlighting their unwavering stand and unity, KISH's campaign wing in a statement made it clear that their approach to the Lok Sabha elections is not about a "boycott" but choosing to "abstain from voting".
The statement said that in view of the absence of any candidate from the Kuki-Zom community in the 18th Lok Sabha elections, an attempt was made to select the candidate unanimously among the four candidates in the Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency reserved for tribals.
"However, unanimity could not be achieved. Therefore, in coordination with all stakeholders as accepted by Kuki Impi Manipur, it was unanimously decided to abstain from voting in the upcoming election," the statement said.
There are four candidates for the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat, including BJP-backed Naga People's Front (NPF) candidate Katchui Timothy Jimik. The opposition Congress-led India Bloc has fielded Alfred Kannagam S. from this seat. Arthur has been fielded. Jimik and Arthur both belong to the Naga community.
Two independent candidates, S Khoo John and Alison Abonmai, are also in the fray for the seat, where voting will be held in two phases - April 19 and April 26.
Since ethnic violence erupted between non-tribal Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities on May 3 last year, Manipur has become sharply divided between the Meitei-inhabited valley region and the hills, where Kuki-Zomi and Naga tribals dominate. Is.
However, the Nagas remained neutral in the ethnic conflict.
Ten tribal MLAs, including seven from the BJP, along with all tribal organizations are demanding a separate administration (equivalent to a separate state) for the tribals. The riots started after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for granting them Scheduled Tribe status.
The statement said that in view of the absence of any candidate from the Kuki-Zom community in the 18th Lok Sabha elections, an attempt was made to select the candidate unanimously among the four candidates in the Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency reserved for tribals.
"However, unanimity could not be achieved. Therefore, in coordination with all stakeholders as accepted by Kuki Impi Manipur, it was unanimously decided to abstain from voting in the upcoming election," the statement said.
There are four candidates for the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat, including BJP-backed Naga People's Front (NPF) candidate Katchui Timothy Jimik. The opposition Congress-led India Bloc has fielded Alfred Kannagam S. from this seat. Arthur has been fielded. Jimik and Arthur both belong to the Naga community.
Two independent candidates, S Khoo John and Alison Abonmai, are also in the fray for the seat, where voting will be held in two phases - April 19 and April 26.
Since ethnic violence erupted between non-tribal Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities on May 3 last year, Manipur has become sharply divided between the Meitei-inhabited valley region and the hills, where Kuki-Zomi and Naga tribals dominate. Is.
However, the Nagas remained neutral in the ethnic conflict.
Ten tribal MLAs, including seven from the BJP, along with all tribal organizations are demanding a separate administration (equivalent to a separate state) for the tribals. The riots started after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for granting them Scheduled Tribe status.
