Healing Manipur: The Role of Nemcha Kipgen
If Manipur is to heal from its recent violence, the perspective of its first woman Deputy Chief Minister, Nemcha Kipgen, is crucial.
Current Situation
- Nemcha Kipgen advocates for maintaining buffer zones between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo communities to prioritize safety amidst deep-seated tensions.
- She hails from the Kuki-Zo community and took her oath virtually from New Delhi due to security concerns after the establishment of a new government in Imphal on February 4.
- The state has been under a long stint of President’s Rule before this installation.
Government Composition
- Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh represents the Meitei community.
- Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho, representing the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities respectively, were appointed as Deputy Chief Ministers.
- Kipgen operates from Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi due to security issues, preventing her attendance at the Assembly session in Imphal.
Challenges and Violence
- Ethnic violence, starting May 3, 2023, has resulted in over 250 deaths and displaced approximately 60,000 people.
- Recent skirmishes have also been observed between the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities.
- Manipur's history is marked by waves of insurgencies since attaining full Statehood in 1972.
Vision for Peace
- Kipgen emphasizes understanding each community's pain while recognizing the shared cultural and social heritage that unites Manipuris.
- She advocates for harmony that respects distinct identities and strengthens communal bonds.
- Breaking the cycle of violence requires a commitment to empathy and shared values, with a focus on the future of all children in Manipur.
