Chassad/Kamjong: The Eastern Kuki Chiefs’ Association (EKCA), representing the Kuki community of Kamjong District in Manipur, has made a public appeal to Pu Leishiyo Keishing, the elected MLA of 43-Phungyar Assembly Constituency, urging him to provide impartial love, care, and justice to all communities under his constituency. In a formal letter dated October 1, 2026, issued from its head office at Chassad, the association said the Kuki residents of Kamjong District feel a sense of neglect and pain over alleged selective response from the office of their elected representative. The letter, signed by EKCA President Mangneikam Haokip on behalf of the Kuki community of Kamjong District, was addressed with respectful greetings to the MLA as the representative of all people of Phungyar, irrespective of community, tribe, or religion.
According to the EKCA, the core of their grievance lies in what they describe as a disparity in the MLA’s response during times of crisis. The association noted that it has been observed that whenever any unfortunate incident occurs in Tangkhul-inhabited areas of the constituency, Pu Leishiyo Keishing is prompt to visit the spot in person and extend solidarity and support to the affected people. The EKCA said it deeply respects this commitment to his people and considers it a mark of a responsive leader. However, the association contrasted this with the situation of the Kuki community in Kamjong District, stating that when similar unfortunate incidents happen to Kuki villages and families, they have not witnessed the same concern from their MLA.
The letter explicitly states that there has been no visit, nor even a word of condemnation or comfort from the MLA’s office when Kuki villagers face hardship, violence, or distress. This silence, the association said, has caused deep pain and a strong feeling of being neglected among the Kuki population of Kamjong District. The EKCA emphasized that as an elected representative in the Manipur Legislative Assembly, the MLA holds a democratic responsibility to represent every citizen of Phungyar Assembly Constituency equally. The association reminded the MLA that the Kuki people of Kamjong are also his own people, and that their tears and suffering deserve the same attention and empathy as any other community.
In its appeal, the EKCA humbly requested the MLA to kindly treat all communities equally, to visit them in their times of distress, and to raise his voice for them as he does for others. The association stated that such impartial leadership is not just a political expectation but a moral necessity that will only strengthen peace, unity, and trust among all communities living in Kamjong District. The district, which was carved out as a separate district in 2016, is known for its diverse ethnic composition, with Tangkhul Naga, Kuki, and other communities living in close proximity, often in interdependent villages. In the backdrop of the ongoing ethnic tensions that have affected Manipur since May 2023, calls for non-partisan leadership have become even more significant.
The Eastern Kuki Chiefs’ Association is a prominent traditional body representing Kuki chiefs and villages in the eastern part of Manipur, particularly in Kamjong District, which shares a long international border with Myanmar. Its head office is located at Chassad, a historically significant Kuki village that had witnessed major displacement in the past. The association’s motto is “Peace and Prosperity,” and it has often positioned itself as a voice for peace and coexistence. The letter bears the reference number of the EKCA and the official emblem featuring crossed traditional weapons, symbolizing the chiefs’ authority. The tone of the letter remains respectful and constitutional throughout, invoking the spirit of democratic representation rather than making political accusations.
Political observers note that 43-Phungyar Assembly Constituency is one of the largest and most sensitive constituencies in Ukhrul and Kamjong region. While it is largely considered a Tangkhul Naga-dominated constituency, it also includes several Kuki villages under Kamjong sub-division. Pu Leishiyo Keishing, a veteran Naga People’s Front (NPF) leader and son of former Chief Minister Rishang Keishing, has been elected multiple times from the constituency and is known to have a strong base among the Tangkhul community. The Kuki community’s appeal, therefore, touches upon the larger question of inclusive representation in ethnic-diverse constituencies of Manipur, especially at a time when trust between communities is fragile.
The appeal comes at a time when Kamjong District has witnessed several incidents of tension, displacement, and hardship affecting both communities due to the prevailing law and order situation in the state. Kuki civil society organizations have in the past alleged that relief, rehabilitation, and official visits have not been equitably distributed in the hill districts. The EKCA’s letter, however, does not list any specific recent incident but makes a general observation about the pattern of response. Sources in Kamjong said the letter reflects a growing feeling among Kuki villagers in the Phungyar-Kamjong belt that their elected representative needs to be more accessible to them, particularly when they are affected by conflict-related incidents, natural calamities, or developmental neglect.
The EKCA concluded its letter by stating that it trusts in the wisdom and leadership of Pu Leishiyo Keishing and looks forward to his kind consideration. The letter ends with “With deep respect, Yours faithfully, (MANGNEIKAM HAOKIP), President, EKCA, On behalf of the Kukis of Kamjong District.” Copies of the letter have been circulated on social media platforms in Manipur, generating discussion among different community groups. While some have welcomed the letter as a dignified and democratic appeal for inclusive governance, others have viewed it as a reflection of the deep ethnic polarization that has entered even constituency-level politics in the state.
Efforts to contact the office of Pu Leishiyo Keishing for his response on the EKCA appeal did not yield an immediate reply till the filing of this report. It is expected that the MLA may issue a clarification or assurance in the coming days. Political analysts in Imphal said the letter should be seen as an opportunity to rebuild trust at the constituency level. They said that in a state like Manipur, where MLAs often represent more than one community, impartial leadership and visible presence in all villages during distress are crucial for maintaining peace and public confidence in democratic institutions.
The larger significance of the EKCA appeal lies in its emphasis on equality, empathy, and unity. By requesting that their tears and suffering be given the same attention, the Kuki chiefs of Kamjong have highlighted the human aspect of political representation that often gets lost in ethnic narratives. The appeal for equal treatment, visitation in times of distress, and raising of voice for all, if heeded, could set a positive precedent for other diverse constituencies in Manipur. As the state continues to navigate through a difficult phase of reconciliation, such appeals for non-partisan and compassionate leadership from grassroots traditional institutions like the EKCA may play a vital role in strengthening peace, unity, and trust among all communities of Kamjong District and beyond.
