Naga Deputy CM Losii Dikho questioned Nemcha Kipgen’s presence in the Cabinet, alleging that her husband, whom he identified as KNF(P) chief, was involved in violence against Nagas. He also accused her of sharing state secrets and colluding with him.
BY PC Bureau’
September 101, 2026: Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho did not attend Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, citing the presence of fellow minister Nemcha Kipgen and the position taken by the Naga Legislators’ Forum.
Dikho, a Naga People’s Front MLA from Senapati, said his decision was guided by the “prevailing circumstances” and the collective sentiments of the forum. An official statement issued on his behalf said he considered it inappropriate to participate in Cabinet proceedings while “the people involved in creating unrest are part of the Cabinet proceedings.”
The statement said Dikho had taken the decision after careful consideration and “for the sake of the Naga people”, while stressing that his absence should not be construed as a withdrawal from his responsibilities or commitment to the people of Manipur.
Kipgen, a BJP MLA from Kangpokpi, has come under criticism from Dikho over alleged links to her husband, whom the Deputy Chief Minister identified as the head of the Kuki National Front (P), or KNF(P).
Dikho alleged that Nagas continued to suffer from violence allegedly perpetrated by Kuki militants led by Kipgen’s husband, and questioned what he described as the authorities’ inaction after her appointment to the Cabinet.
He further accused Kipgen of breaching her oath of office by allegedly “sharing all state secrets and colluding with her husband”. These are Dikho’s allegations, and no independent evidence establishing the claims was cited in the statement.
Had a meeting in connection with the preparation of monthlong observation of Seva Sankalp Abhiyan at my Secretariat today. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Nemcha Kipgen via video conferencing, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Losii Dikho, Home Minister Shri… pic.twitter.com/vWZWjF1aue
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) September 10, 2026
READ: Kuki Armed Leaders Accuse Manipur Govt of Shielding NSCN-IM
The Deputy Chief Minister said he was deeply disturbed by what he described as the government’s silence and alleged that Kipgen and her husband were continuing to contribute to the turmoil in the state rather than helping efforts to restore peace.
Dikho’s absence came as Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh held a Cabinet meeting at the New Civil Secretariat on Thursday. In a social media post, the Chief Minister said he had chaired the meeting and listed Nemcha Kipgen among those present, along with Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Art and Culture Minister Kh. Loken Singh and Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur.
The episode highlights continuing political tensions within Manipur’s coalition government over the ethnic conflict that has divided the state since May 2023, with competing community concerns increasingly finding expression within the political establishment itself.
