[ad_1]
GUWAHATI/IMPHAL: Violence-scarred Manipur posed a new challenge for two-time CM N Biren Singh on Friday after 10 tribal Kuki-Chin-Zomi MLAs of the BJP-led coalition, seven of them from the saffron party, rebelled against his handling of the ongoing ethnic conflict and demanded that the Centre create a separate administrative structure for the community.
“The state of Manipur has miserably failed to protect us,” the legislators said in a joint statement, alluding to clashes with the majority Meitei community over several issues, including the latter seeking ST status.
“Our people can no longer exist under Manipur as the hatred against our tribal community reached such a height that MLAs, ministers, pastors, police and civil officers, laymen, women and even children were not spared, not to mention the destruction of places of worship, home and properties,” the legislators said. “To live amid the Meitei again is as good as death for our people.”
The presence of two BJP ministers – Nemcha Kipgen of Kangpokpi and Letpao Haokip of Tengnoupal – in the group accentuated CM Biren’s troubles. One of the other five BJP signatories is Vungzagin Valte, hospitalised since a mob attacked him in Imphal on May 4.
“We are stunned to hear about such a step being taken by 10 MLAs, and we have begun consulting party leaders at the Centre on the matter,” state BJP vice-president N Nimbus said.
“The state of Manipur has miserably failed to protect us,” the legislators said in a joint statement, alluding to clashes with the majority Meitei community over several issues, including the latter seeking ST status.
“Our people can no longer exist under Manipur as the hatred against our tribal community reached such a height that MLAs, ministers, pastors, police and civil officers, laymen, women and even children were not spared, not to mention the destruction of places of worship, home and properties,” the legislators said. “To live amid the Meitei again is as good as death for our people.”
The presence of two BJP ministers – Nemcha Kipgen of Kangpokpi and Letpao Haokip of Tengnoupal – in the group accentuated CM Biren’s troubles. One of the other five BJP signatories is Vungzagin Valte, hospitalised since a mob attacked him in Imphal on May 4.
“We are stunned to hear about such a step being taken by 10 MLAs, and we have begun consulting party leaders at the Centre on the matter,” state BJP vice-president N Nimbus said.
[ad_2]
Source link
