Ethics panel meet on Kuki MLAs' demand
Joy puts up strong case against 10 MLAs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 13 2024: Presided by its Chairman Sapam Nishikant, the Manipur Legislative Assembly's Committee on Privileges and Ethics held a meeting today on the demand of the 10 Kuki MLAs.

The meeting was convened after veteran politician and ex-Minister Okram Joy filed a petition with the Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker on May 18, 2023 to look into the unethical conduct of the 10 Kuki MLAs.

Apart from Sapam Nishikant who represents Keishamthong AC, BJP MLA RK Imo (Sagolband AC), Congress MLA Okram Surjakumar (Khangabok AC) and BJP MLA Md Achab Uddin (Jiribam) took part in the meeting.

Okram Joy who petitioned the Speaker to take up appropriate action against the 10 Kuki MLAs under Rule 300 of the Rules and Procedure and Conduct of Business, and one Nelson who lodged a complaint against MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangsing were also present at the meeting.

Notably, the Committee on Privileges and Ethics has seven members including the Chairman.

As four members attended the meeting, it had the necessary quorum.

Three other members of the committee namely; Md Nasir of JD-U, Sanasam Premchandra of BJP and BJP's Kunjakeshore were absent.

The 10 Kuki MLAs who have been accused of conspiring to disintegrate Manipur are Haokholet Kipgen (Saitu AC, Ind), Ngursanglur Sanate (Tipaimukh AC, BJP), Kimneo Haokip Hangsing (Saikul AC, KPA), Letpao Haokip (Tengnoupal AC, BJP), LM Khaute (Churachandpur AC, BJP), Letzamang Haokip (Henglep AC, BJP), Chinlunthang (Singhat AC, KPA), Paolienlal Haokip (Saikot AC, BJP), Nemcha Kipgen (Kangpokpi AC, BJP) and Vungzagin Valte (Thanlon AC, BJP) .

Briefing media persons after the meeting at the gate of the Assembly complex, O Joy said that the documents attached to his petition were verified as true by the Committee on Privileges and Ethics.

The veteran politician said that any citizen can file complaints if any MP or MLA challenges the Constitution of India and defies the rules of Parliament.

He said that a copy of the complaint he filed with the Speaker was forwarded to the Prime Minister.

"If the complaint and the charges I made against the 10 Kuki MLAs are found to be baseless or fabricated, the Committee on Privileges and Ethics can even penalise me", Joy said.

The veteran politician said that he tabled a 35-paged document with photographs on the 10 Kuki MLAs' visit to Mizoram where they held a meeting to disintegrate Manipur before the committee.

The committee deliberated on the document for almost one hour, he said.

Manipur existed as an independent Nation for over 2000 years.

After some years under British occupation, Manipur once again became an independent country in 1947 .

A Constitution was enacted soon after and an elected Government was formed, Joy said.

After Manipur was merged into the Indian Union in 1949, the Manipur Legislative Assembly has been safeguarding the territorial integrity, emotional integrity and ethnic identity of Manipur, he continued.

But the recent demand of the 10 Kuki MLAs for separate administration implies that some Ministers/MLAs have been openly demanding disintegration of Manipur.

There is no graver crime than this, O Joy remarked.

As the particular demand raised by the 10 Kuki MLAs undermined the authority of the Government and harmed the dignity of the State Assembly, a complaint was filed with the Speaker to look into the issue, he said.

"Many people have been demanding disqualification and expulsion of the 10 Kuki MLAs but I did not raise any such demand", Joy said.

If any Member of the House speaks or behaves in unethical manner, the Committee on Privileges and Ethics should table the matter in the State Assembly after examining it carefully.

The State Assembly may punish the particular Member as per Rule No 92 of the Rule of Business.

There are different forms of punishment.

The State Assembly should determine which form of punishment should be awarded to the erring Member, Joy said.

It is there in Rule No 92 whether the State Assembly should forgive or warn or what kind of punishment should be awarded to the Member, he pointed out.

The widespread violence and large-scale killings seen today in Manipur have strong connection with the 10 Kuki MLAs' demand for separate administration.

The State Assembly would determine whether the 10 Kuki MLAs should be pardoned or punished after the report tabled at the meeting today is verified by the Committee on Privileges and Ethics and the same is submitted to the Speaker, he added.

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