The Manipur unit of the National People's Party (NPP) has issued a directive barring its members from participating in meetings convened by the N Biren Singh-led government.
The move follows the NPP’s decision to withdraw its support from the BJP-led coalition, citing the Chief Minister’s failure to restore normalcy in the violence-stricken state.
An advisory from NPP state president N Kayisii on Thursday reiterated that the party's national president, Conrad Sangma, officially withdrew support from the Singh government on 17 November.
Kayisii stressed, "All NPP members are required to comply with this decision," adding that members must seek prior permission before engaging with the media or making public statements.
Despite withdrawing support, the NPP has hinted at the possibility of reconsidering its stance if Biren Singh is replaced.
Speaking on the matter, NPP National Vice-President Yumnam Joykumar Singh said, “CM Biren Singh has totally failed to bring normalcy to Manipur. This was the main reason for our national president, Conrad Sangma, to withdraw support. If he is replaced, the NPP may reconsider its position.”
The directive was issued after three of the NPP’s seven MLAs attended a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on 18 November.
Joykumar Singh attributed this to “confusion” and clarified, “While we have withdrawn support to the Biren Singh government, we remain NDA partners. However, our MLAs have been cautioned against attending such meetings without prior approval.”
He refuted media claims suggesting that the Chief Minister had issued notices to NPP MLAs absent from the meeting, asserting that such actions were beyond his authority.
In response to the Centre’s decision to deploy 50 more companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to Manipur, Joykumar Singh, a former Director General of Police, criticised the move, stating, “The state is already oversaturated with security forces.”
He accused the government of using additional personnel primarily to guard the homes of ministers and MLAs rather than addressing the escalating violence.
Ethnic unrest continues
The political turmoil unfolds against the backdrop of worsening ethnic conflict in Manipur.
The recent disappearance of six individuals—three Meitei women and three children—from a camp for displaced persons in Jiribam has further heightened tensions.
The ongoing conflict between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kuki-Zo groups has claimed over 220 lives and displaced thousands since May 2023.
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