Kuki-Zo tribal groups declared a social boycott on Thursday, February 5, 2026, against Kuki-Zo MLAs who joined the new Manipur government led by Yumnam Khemchand Singh. They enforced a dawn-to-dusk "total shutdown" in the Kuki-Zo hills to protest the "betrayal" by these legislators. The shutdown affected normal life in Chandel, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Pherzawl districts. Protesters carried posters labeling some Kuki-Zo MLAs as “traitors” and there were reports of arson. Anger focused on Nemcha Kipgen, appointed Deputy Chief Minister on February 4, and two other BJP MLAs, former police chief L.M. Khaute and Ngursanglur Sanate, who traveled from Delhi to Imphal with other NDA legislators. This was the first visit by Kuki-Zo MLAs to the capital since the May 2023 ethnic conflict between Kuki-Zo and Meitei groups. The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the community’s top body, said the MLAs violated a resolution that barred joining government until a written political assurance for separate Kuki-Zo administration was given by Central and State governments. The KZC accused the MLAs of siding with "our enemy" by joining the Meitei-dominated government, calling it a serious betrayal. It called on the Kuki-Zo people not to engage with these MLAs socially or publicly and said the boycott will continue until the MLAs leave the government and align with community interests. Meanwhile, the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) welcomed Nemcha Kipgen’s appointment as Deputy Chief Minister and urged her to protect Thadou identity and the state's unity. TIM asked her to distance herself from the "Kuki-centric separatist" stance after the conflict. In the Manipur Assembly session, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla highlighted law and order as the government's top priority. He praised the joint efforts of Central and State governments, security agencies, and communities for progressing towards peace. The governor also acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their guidance in restoring stability.