Non Locals Instigating Kukis to boycott Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen

The protests against first Kuki Deputy CM and first woman Deputy CM of Manipur, Nemcha Kipgen reached a tense climax when members of the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) Delhi, joined by other Kuki activists, demonstrated outside Manipur Bhawan in New Delhi on the evening of February 4, 2026—the day of the swearing-in.

Around 50 demonstrators gathered, voicing sharp slogans like “Nemcha In, Justice Out,” “We want Nemcha out,” and accusations of betrayal, as they condemned her decision to join the newly installed government and demanded her resignation while reaffirming the call for separate administration.

The involvement of certain non-locals, particularly those in media or online commentary circles, in amplifying calls to boycott Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen raises troubling questions about underlying motives in already fragile ethnic divide.
Involvement of certain journalist who reportedly used an X Space session to explicitly advise or encourage elements within the Kuki community to “lock” Nemcha Kipgen out of her house—preventing her from entering or returning to her residence.

This kind of directive, shared publicly in audio format and captured in viral clips, goes beyond legitimate protest or criticism into territory that borders on incitement to obstruction, harassment, or even potential violence against an individual holding high public office.

This is a serious matter which demands swift and firm response from concerned authorities. The Manipur government, along with central agencies, should immediately investigate the journalist’s statements for elements of hate speech, incitement to violence, or threats under relevant laws (including sections of the BNS dealing with criminal intimidation, promoting enmity, or public mischief).

Legal action, if warranted, would serve as a deterrent against further inflammatory commentary that could derail fragile peace efforts and endanger individuals. Media platforms like X also bear responsibility to moderate such spaces and flag content that risks real-world harm.

The purpose often seems less about genuine advocacy for Kuki rights, such as justice or rehabilitation, and more about weaponizing grief for external gain. When non-locals urge locking someone out of their home or similar coercive steps, it crosses ethical and legal lines, potentially violating provisions against criminal intimidation, promoting enmity between groups, or inciting unrest to harass the innocent people.

Incidents like this highlight how quickly online words can fuel offline division in Manipur’s fragile context. While Nemcha Kipgen’s deputy CM role holds genuine promise as a bridge for inter-community dialogue, offering direct channels to address rehabilitation, justice, and hill-area development, the path forward requires de-escalation from all sides.

The swearing-in on February 4, 2026, marked the end of nearly a year of President’s Rule, ushering in a government designed to reflect Manipur’s diverse fabric. Alongside Yumnam Khemchand Singh (from the Meitei community) as Chief Minister, the cabinet includes Deputy CMs from Naga (Losii Dikho of the Naga People’s Front) and Kuki (Nemcha Kipgen, BJP MLA from Kangpokpi) backgrounds, along with Konthoujam Govindas and Khuraijam Loken Singh as other ministers.

For Nemcha Kipgen, a 60-year-old veteran politician, this elevation is groundbreaking: she is Manipur’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister and the first from the Kuki tribal group to reach such a position. Her political journey, from activism in the Sadar Hills movement, early terms with regional parties, Congress to joining the BJP and holding ministerial portfolios in social welfare, textiles, and industry—has long positioned her as a voice for hill communities.
She endured personal hardship during the ethnic clashes that erupted in May 2023, with her Imphal residence set ablaze. Her inclusion in the Khemchand Cabinet is a hope to heal the state.

However, the appointment has ignited fierce backlash within segments of the Kuki community. Protests flared outside Manipur Bhawan in New Delhi, with slogans branding her a “traitor” and accusing her of prioritizing power over justice.

The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) too, declared a social boycott of Nemcha Kipgen and other Kuki MLAs who joined the government, citing violation of earlier resolutions like those from the Guwahati conclave.

This includes restrictions in Kuki dominated areas until they withdraw support and realign with the community’s push for separate administration. However, amid the outrage lies a potential pathway to reconciliation. Nemcha Kipgen’s presence in the deputy CM’s office grants unprecedented access to decision-making tables on rehabilitation, security, infrastructure in hill districts, and inter-community dialogue.

The government’s inclusive composition, with representation from Meitei, Naga, and Kuki leaders. This signals an intent to move beyond exclusion toward shared governance. If Nemcha Kipgen leverages her position to champion unresolved grievances, advocating for expedited investigations into violence, fair aid distribution, protection of displaced families, and open talks on long-term coexistence, she could gradually shift perceptions.

In a state weary of conflict, where healing demands mutual trust, Nemcha Kipgen holds a rare opportunity to demonstrate that political inclusion can foster dialogue and progress for all—Kuki, Meitei, Naga, and beyond.
Manipur’s future depends on leaders who prioritize reconciliation over rigid stances. The coming months will test whether this historic step becomes a foundation for unity or another layer of mistrust.

For the sake of families still in relief camps and communities yearning for peace, the path of bridge-building offers the strongest hope.
The state authorities must prioritize scrutinizing and addressing such non-local elements, particularly media figures or online influencers who instigate division from afar, as their provocative rhetoric risks misleading innocent community members and escalating tensions unnecessarily.

Until these external agitators are identified, investigated, and dealt with through appropriate legal measures, genuine local grievances may continue to be hijacked and distorted, prolonging mistrust and hindering any meaningful bridge-building between communities in Manipur.

Naorem Mohen

Naorem Mohen is the Editor of Signpost News. Explore his views and opinion on X: @laimacha.