Many non-natives in Tengnoupal poll roll: MLA Rameshwar
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 23 2025: Keirao MLA Lourembam Rameshwar has claimed that large number of non-natives were enrolled in the electoral roll of Tengnoupal assembly constituency in order to ensure win of MLA Letpao Haokip.

The MLA called for a sincere efforts from the government authority to check these illegal entries in the electoral roll and delete their names.

He was attending the inaugural session of the 1st Khuraijam Ranjana Memorial Invitation Men's Volleyball Tournament, 2024.The Social Welfare Club, Yumnam Huidrom organised the tournament in memory of Wangoi MLA Kh Loken's daughter Khuraijam Ranjana, under the aegis of All Manipur Volleyball Association at Yaihithel Lampak, Yumnam Huidrom, Thiyam Leishangkhong on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, Rameshwar attributed the current crisis in the state to insincere conduct of the elected public representatives.

He accused such politicians of being double standard by saying something and doing otherwise deceiving the public.

It is public knowledge how some politicians add non-natives to ensure win of their better halves and how Letpao Haokip won election from Tengnoupal AC.

Though the MLA did not mentioned the year of the election, he was referring to the 2022 state assembly election, in which Letpao Haokip contested from Tengnoupal AC and won the seat after shifting from his earlier seat in Chandel assembly constituency.

Rameshwar further revealed that large number of non-natives of the state were added in the electoral roll of Tengnoupal AC on the strength of newly created Aadhaar cards.

At that time, the sitting MLA of Tengnoupal (D Korungthang) raised the issue with the authority concerned but his complaints fell on deaf ears, he said while calling for a sincere effort to detect and delete those illegal electors.

He further stated that speaking noble words while acting in contradiction - such as bringing in a large number of non-natives to secure electoral victories for their wives, or advocating for environmental conservation while his younger brother engages in timber trading - will not bring peace to the state.

It will only fuel ethnic conflict, he added.

The MLA also said that people of the state must had have a breather after February 9, and added that he strongly believes the Centre would appoint a new chief minister with neutral outlook towards the different communities in the state.

He also expressed confidence that appointing such a chief minister would pave way for peace and normalcy to return to the state.

Singjamei MLA Yumnam Khemchand, who attended the event as chief guest, said that there are 34 indigenous communities in the state and inability to treat them as equal will only invite conflict.

Keeping aside the victims of the crisis, around 47,000 people from both Meetei and Kuki communities were saved by either sides in the conflict that erupted on May 3, 2023.Such stories need to be publicised to foster a sense of fraternity.

Otherwise, bringing news of killing one another in the forefront will only fester the wounds, he contended.

Tamenglong MLA Janghemlung Panmei said that no conflict is permanent and Meeteis and Kukis will eventually come together.

This is evident from the relationship between Kukis and Nagas, who had fierce clash for around five years.

He also expressed confidence that a popular government will soon be formed.

Mayang Imphal MLA Kongkham Robindro urged the public to have trust on the Centre's efforts to restore peace in the state under the President's Rule.

A sense of unity must prevail for the state to prosper.

Mutual respect and strong sense of fraternity among the communities is a must for the society to move forward, he said.

Stating that the people of the state must shoulder the responsibility to resolve the crisis instead of relying on a third party, he called for public support in efforts to restore peace.

MLA Khuraijam Loken presided over the function, which was also attended by All Manipur Volleyball Association secretary Dr Longjam Baleshwar as guest of honour.

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