PM to interact with Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra beneficiaries tomorrow
Apart from thousands of beneficiaries from across the country the programme will be joined by Union Ministers, MPs, MLAs and local level representatives.
The radical group ‘Aarambai Tenggol’ on Wednesday convened a meeting with all 40 MLAs from the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley at the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal to put forth their various demands related to violence in Manipur.
On January 21, a letter was jointly penned by at least 35 MLAs addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging for “positive action” to quell the violence. In the event of non-compliance, they expressed their resolve to take “appropriate steps” following discussions with the people of Manipur.
The MLAs specifically called for action against Kuki insurgent groups, the annulment of the Suspension of Operation agreement with said groups, and the withdrawal of Assam Rifles personnel who were perceived as “mute spectators” during a recent attack on Manipur police and Meitei villagers.
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Security forces have been deployed in and around Kangla Fort as the MLAs and ministers arrived for their meeting, coinciding with the gathering of Aarambai Tenggol members in Imphal.
Manipur, boasting of 60 MLAs, saw at least 10 Kuki-Zo legislators lending support to the demand for a “separate administration” for the Kuki-Zos.
A Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) team, present in Manipur since Monday evening, has been actively monitoring the situation. However, the Kuki groups voiced concerns over reports of the MHA team meeting with Aarambai Tenggol in Imphal, alleging the group’s involvement in the killing of Kuki-Zos since May last year.
Accusations of collusion between the BJP government in the state and Aarambai Tenggol, along with another radical group, Meetei Leepun, were denied by the government.
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