Patra rushes to Imphal as 21 MLAs write to Shah seeking govt in state

The strife-torn Manipur witnessed some rapid political developments on Monday, as BJP’s Northeast in charge and Lok Sabha MP Sambit Patra reached Imphal and held parleys with at least two Kuki MLAs of the party, after as many as 21 BJP as well as its alliance parties MLAs wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah, urging him to install a “popular government" in the state.

In the letter to Shah dated April 10, a copy of which is with The Tribune, the legislators wrote that despite President’s rule having been imposed in the troubled state on February 13, “no visible action to bring peace and normalcy in the state is seen in the state so far".

The legislators further wrote that there are apprehensions among the people that violence may recur in the state again, and many civil societies are opposing President’s rule, seeking installation of a “popular government".

“Therefore we request you to kindly take necessary steps to install a popular government in Manipur at the earliest in the interest of the people of Manipur. We assure you that we will work with full dedication and devotion to bring peace and normalcy in our state after installation of a popular government," the BJP MLAs said in the letter.

The letter was received by the Union Home Ministry on April 29. It was signed by 13 BJP MLAs, 3 NPP legislators, 3 Naga Peoples’ Front MLAs and two Independent members of the now dissolved state Assembly.

Meanwhile, Patra on Monday morning reached Imphal and held parleys with two BJP Kuki legislators.

In Churachandpur, Patra met Thanlon BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte who survived a mob attack on May 4, 2023, in Imphal. It was the day when violence had erupted first in the state. Patra also met Churachandpur MLA L M Khaute and leaders of Zomi Student Federation. He later told reporters that the visit was “unofficial". He refused to comment on the developments after being asked by the local media regarding his meetings with them. The BJP leader also held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Kuki Zo Council (KZC) and Zomi Council (ZC).

President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 after N Biren Singh had resigned as the chief minister. The Assembly, which had a tenure till 2027, was placed under suspended animation.

Ethnic violence going on between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur since May 2023 has left over 260 people dead.

India