Imphal: Manipur Legislative Assembly’s Ethics Committee has directed veteran politician and former MLA Okram Joy of Kakwa Huidrom Leikai, Imphal West to appear before the panel for his complaint to the Speaker of the Assembly over alleged unethical conduct of 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs regarding the present crisis in the state.
In a joint letter addressed to the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, all 10 MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur including two ministers in the Biren Singh government demanded a separate administration – stating that the state of Manipur ‘miserably failed to protect’ the Chin-Kuki-Zomi tribals.
They further charged that the majority Meitei community had committed institutionalised ethnic cleansing and atrocities against the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Hmar communities in the recent communal riot that erupted on 3rd May.
The veteran politician, on the other hand, complained that the Members of Parliament and State Legislatures should maintain standard conduct inside and outside of the House, and their behaviour should be such as to enhance the dignity of the House and its Members.
In a letter to the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Okram Joy, who is known for his in-depth knowledge of the law and proceedings of the state Assembly, alleged that the conduct of the 10 MLAs demanding separation from the state of Manipur has become contrary to the usage or derogatory to the dignity of the House or in any way inconsistent with the standards which the House of Manipur Assembly is entitled to expect of its Members.
The former lawmaker also asked the Speaker to take appropriate action at the earliest.
“As directed by the Committee on Privileges and Ethics Committee, I am directed to state that the meeting of the Committee will be held on 21st December 2023 at 11:00 A.M. in the Committee Room of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, to examine a complaint relating to the alleged unethical conduct of 10 MLAs of Manipur Assembly under rule 300 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Assembly,” Binny Tharaoijam, Deputy Secretary, Manipur Legislative Assembly, said in a notice addressed to O Joy.
The notice further asked O Joy to appear before the committee meeting to hear his explanation and views and allow him to submit additional relevant information in this regard.
