Imphal, Sep 10 (PTI) Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho on Thursday skipped the Cabinet meeting over the participation of counterpart Nemcha Kipgen, citing the sentiments of the Naga Legislators’ Forum, an official statement said.
“In view of the prevailing circumstances and respecting the sentiments and collective position expressed by the Naga Legislators’ Forum and for the sake of the Naga people, Dikho considered it appropriate to refrain from participating when the people involved in creating unrest are part of the Cabinet proceedings,” it said.
Kipgen is a BJP MLA from Kangpokpi district, while Dikho is a Naga People’s Front legislator from Senapati district.
Dikho said the decision was taken after careful consideration and in deference to the collective understanding and sentiments of the forum.
The statement alleged that “justice is still denied and the Naga people continue to bear the brunt of the violence from the Kuki militants led by the husband of Kipgen”.
“It is very painful to see that the very person who has sworn and taken the oath of office and secrecy to protect the Constitution, the rule of law and the security of innocent citizens has breached all this by sharing all state secrets and colluding with her husband, who is the head of the militant group KNF (P),” Dikho claimed.
He said he was deeply disturbed by the alleged lack of action and silence by the authorities who appointed Kipgen.
Dikho also said he was “appalled” to see Kipgen and her husband allegedly continue to “tear the state apart” instead of working to bridge the divide and restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.
He asserted that his decision to abstain from the meeting should not be interpreted as a lack of commitment towards his responsibilities or the welfare and development of the people of the state.
Earlier, Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh said in a social media post that he chaired a Cabinet meeting at the New Civil Secretariat.
He said the meeting was attended by Kipgen, Dikho, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Art and Culture Minister Kh Loken Singh, Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur and others. PTI COR MNB
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