One-day Manipur Assembly session on Tuesday, Kuki MLAs likely to skip

The crucial oneday session of the Manipur Assembly on Tuesday is likely to hold a discussion on the states prevailing situation of ethnic strife although most of the Kuki MLAs regardless of party affiliations are likely to skip the session over safety concernsSix of the ten MLAs from Kukidominated areas have already sought leave of absence from the speaker of the assemblyFive legislators had applied for their leave to the speaker on Monday while Social Welfare and Cooperation Minister Nemcha Kipgen MLA of Kangpokpi had sent her application on Saturday an official saidThe MLAs who sought leave on Monday are Tribal and Hill Affairs Minister Letpao Haokip Tengnoupal Churachandpur MLA Khaute Kimneo Hangshing of Saikul Haokholet Kipgen of Saitu and Henglep legislator Letzamang HaokipThe social welfare and cooperation minister in her application said that ever since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 it has not been possible for her and her family members to stay in Imphal on security groundsDue to the ongoing violent crisis and keeping in mind the law and order situation in Imphal I will not be able to attend the upcoming one day session she saidAfter obituary references committee reports will be presented and other businesses of the House will be held the official saidThe state government had last month recommended a session by August 21 but later revised it to August 28 on not getting a green light from the Raj Bhavan Last week the chief ministers office announced that the assembly will reconvene from August 29The previous assembly session was held in March and according to the norms a session must be held every six monthsThe Committee on Tribal Unity CoTU and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum ITLF had recently denounced the convening of the session saying the present situation is not conducive for KukiZo MLAs to attend itIn a joint statement on Sunday both the organisations said considering the complete breakdown of law and order and the failure of the state government in protecting the lives of the common people and officials convening the session is devoid of logic and rationalityOn Saturday former Manipur chief minister and Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh had said the session is an eyewash and not in public interestMore than 160 people lost their lives and several hundreds were injured since ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3