Imphal, Manipur: Amid escalating violence and turmoil in Manipur, Conrad Sangma’s National People’s Party (NPP) has announced its withdrawal of support for the BJP-led government under Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. In a strongly worded letter to BJP National President JP Nadda, the NPP expressed grave concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state and criticized the state government’s inability to restore normalcy.
NPP’s Letter Highlights Crisis and Government Failures
The letter outlined the party’s growing apprehensions about the worsening conditions in Manipur, where violence has claimed several innocent lives and left citizens grappling with fear and hardship. The NPP stated:
“The situation in Manipur has deteriorated significantly, with the state government failing to address the ongoing crisis. In light of this, we are withdrawing our support to the N. Biren Singh-led government with immediate effect.”
This decisive step reflects the party’s dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of the crisis, which has left Manipur mired in division and unrest since May 2023.
Union Home Ministry Scrambles to Address Crisis
In response to the escalating violence, Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a high-level meeting in Delhi on Sunday to assess the security situation in Manipur. Sources indicate that the discussions centered on immediate measures to curb the unrest. Shah, who cut short his political engagements in Maharashtra to return to Delhi, is set to chair another critical meeting on Monday to address the spiraling tensions.
Congress Slams BJP’s ‘Double Engine Government’
Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on the central government, accusing the BJP of exacerbating the crisis.
“Manipur is neither united nor safe under your double-engine government. The state has endured unimaginable pain and violence, which seems to be a deliberate outcome of BJP’s divisive politics,” Kharge remarked.
The Congress leader highlighted the loss of 17 lives since November 7, warning that the violence is now spreading to other northeastern states, threatening regional stability.
Fresh Wave of Violence Shakes Manipur
On Saturday, tensions flared anew as angry mobs vandalized and torched the homes of several MLAs. Protesters even attempted to storm the residence of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, forcing police to use force to disperse the crowd. Over 20 individuals were arrested on Sunday in connection with the violence, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in Imphal until further notice.
Manipur’s Ongoing Struggle
Manipur has been grappling with unrest since May 2023, marked by ethnic clashes and political instability. The BJP-led government’s inability to quell the violence and restore harmony has drawn widespread criticism. As Union Home Minister Amit Shah prepares to take stock of the situation, the state waits anxiously for decisive action to end the chaos.
