‘Cannot tolerate any more’: BJP ally NPP withdraws support to Biren Singh govt as violence escalates in Manipur

In a major setback to Chief Minister N Biren Singh, close ally Conrad Sangma’s National People’s Party (NPP) on Sunday has decided to withdraw support from his government owing to resurgence of violence in Manipur. The seven MLAs of NPP have withdrawn support from the state government.

“The National People’s Party would like to convey its deep concern over the prevailing law and order situation in the state of Manipur. In the last few days, we have seen the situation further deteriorate where many more innocent lives have been lost and people in the state are going through immense suffering”, read the letter from Meghalaya Chief Minister and NPP President to BJP national President J P Nadda. 

There has been fresh spate in violence after bodies of six people including three women and three children who were allegedly abducted on Monday, later recovered on Friday in Jiribam. The week before that there has been multiple incidents of violence in Bishnupur and Jiribam districts leading to at least two deaths. 

“We strongly feel that the Manipur state government under the leadership of Shri Biren Singh has completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy. Keeping the current situation in mind, the National People’s Party has decided to withdraw its support to the Biren Singh led government in the state of Manipur, with immediate effect,” he added. 

The withdrawal of NPP, however, will not affect the government. N Biren Singh’s government manages to stay secured with 37 MLAs in the house of 60. As protest raged through the streets of the valley demanding action against the recent killings, houses belonging to six MLAs and three ministers had come under the attack on Saturday. Curfew has been imposed in multiple districts inlcuidng Imphal East, Imphal West. The state government has also suspended the internet services, leading to complete black out.