IT News
Imphal, Nov 19:
A meeting of ruling MLAs, chaired by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh at the Chief Minister’s Office yesterday evening, has resolved to urge the central government to review the imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the areas of six police stations, following a recent order issued on November 14, 2024. The meeting, attended by 27 MLAs from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, also discussed other key issues related to the ongoing crisis in the state.
However, the meeting saw notable absences, with seven ruling party MLAs citing medical reasons for their non-attendance. Additionally, 11 BJP MLAs abstained from the meeting without providing any official reason. In response, the Chief Minister’s Secretariat has reportedly served notices to the 11 absent MLAs, including ministers, for their failure to attend the crucial meeting.
Three MLAs from the National People’s Party (NPP), despite the party’s recent withdrawal of support from the state government, attended the meeting. NPP chief Conrad Sangma had announced the party’s decision to withdraw support on November 17, 2024. The three NPP MLAs who attended were Mayanglambam Rameshwar Singh (Kakching), Thongam Shanti Singh (Moirang), and Irengbam Nalini Devi (Oinam). The NPP, however, issued a show-cause notice to these MLAs for attending the meeting despite the party’s stance. Meanwhile, Tamenglong MLA Janghemlung Panmei did not attend the meeting, and reports suggest that his signature was forged to falsely indicate his presence, according to NPP sources.
During the meeting, several key resolutions were passed. The assembly resolved to initiate mass operations against Kuki militants allegedly responsible for the killings of six innocent women and children in Jiribam. The resolution mandates that these operations begin within seven days. Additionally, the meeting called for the immediate transfer of several high-profile cases to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). These include the killings of the six Meitei women and children in Jiribam, the death of a Hmar woman burned alive on November 7, 2024, and the killing of a Meitei woman farmer in Saiton, Bishnupur district, on November 9, 2024.
Another resolution demanded that the central government declare the Kuki militants responsible for these killings an “unlawful organization” within seven days. The resolution further stated that if the government fails to implement these demands within the specified time frame, the NDA legislators will consult with the people of the state to determine their future course of action.
