New Delhi, Feb. 5 -- Kangpokpi lawmaker Nemcha Kipgen on Wednesday became the first Kuki-Zo person to become deputy chief minister of Manipur but took oath virtually from Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi. Kigpen's swearing-in came a day after influential Kuki civil society groups objected to her joining the government that is led by Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a Meitei leader. In the hill district of Churachandpur, dominated by Kukis, security forces fortified the residences of two Kuki-Zo lawmakers - LM Khaute and Ngursanglur Sanate. They did not take oath as ministers but accompanied Singh to Imphal to state claim to form the government. Kipgen didn't respond to calls and text messages. "There were meetings held in Kangpokpi throughout the day. Many groups issued statements to protest and oppose the Kuki-Zo leaders joining the government under a Meitei CM and the headquarters in Imphal. This could be one reason why she did not immediately visit Imphal," said a BJP functionary. "In fact in these last two years even when Biren Singh was the CM, the Kuki-Zo MLAs had not resigned but worked from Delhi, Aizawl or districts such as Churachandpur and Kangpokpi," the functionary, who asked not to be named, added. Kuki Inpi Manipur, an umbrella body of Kuki-Zo groups, condemned the government formation. "The Kuki Inpi Manipur is vehemently opposed to any Kuki-Zo MLA joining such a government. Any Kuki-Zo MLA who chooses to do so must come clean before the public and explain why they have decided to join despite being bound by the Guwahati Conclave resolution adopted earlier. Such MLAs must take full responsibility for their actions....