IMPHAL, June 4: The apex body of the Kukis in Manipur on Thursday raised concerns over the ongoing SIR exercise in the state, claiming that nearly 59,000 internally displaced people of the community are unable to return home to participate in the process.
In a statement, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) said, “The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Manipur is unacceptable under the prevailing circumstances and raises serious concerns regarding fairness, inclusivity and administrative responsibility.”
KIM said it had expected that the government would first put in place adequate and practical arrangements to address the situation of the approximately 59,000 Kuki-Zo internally displaced persons (IDPs), who continue to remain displaced and are unable to return to their homes to participate in this exercise.
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“Proceeding with such a critical electoral and administrative exercise without ensuring the participation of a large and vulnerable section of the population undermines the very principles of democratic representation,” it said.
The exclusion, whether direct or indirect, of these IDPs from the SIR process renders the exercise incomplete and unacceptable in its present form, it added.
It called on the government, along with the district administrations, to take immediate and concrete steps to establish accessible and inclusive mechanisms that will enable all affected IDPs to be duly enrolled and participate in the revision process.
Meanwhile, state election officials assured that the SIR exercise is currently underway, and all citizens will be covered. They said the final electoral rolls will be published after the notice and verification phase (scheduled from July 5 to September 2) on September 6, 2026, after all claims and objections are considered. (PTI)
