A meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Biren Singh at CM’s secretariat on Monday evening endorsed the cabinet decision taken earlier on Saturday while resolving to start mass operations against the Kuki militants responsible for the killing of the six innocent women and children in Jiribam within seven days.
The resolutions reaffirmed the appeal made to the Central Government to review the imposition of AFSPA as per the order dated November 14 with immediate effect.
The cases related to the killing of the six innocent Meitei women and children in Jiribam, death of one Hmar woman who was burnt on November in Jiribam and the killing of one Meitei woman farmer in Saiton, Bishnupur district on November 9 to be immediately handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), as per the resolution.
It resolved to declare the Kuki Militants responsible for the killing of the six innocent women and children as unlawful organisations within seven days.
If the above resolutions taken are not implemented within the specified period, all the NDA Legislators will decide the future course of action in consultation with the people of the state, it stated.
It further resolved that the Central and state governments will take all necessary steps at the earliest to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.
The meeting also condemned the action of certain persons who humiliated ministers and MLAs, representing the public, by attacking them and also burning and stealing their properties.
Such barbaric action of the miscreants, including the looting and destruction of properties was strongly condemned by all the Legislators present, as per the resolution. Legal action will be initiated against the concerned miscreants, based on the findings of a High Powered Committee, it stated.
The meeting was held to take a decisive political action in the wake of the gruesome murder of six members of a family in Jiribam district which has sent shockwaves across the state, and the subsequent mass public outrage and condemnations which followed.
No comment was given by the MLAs who attended the meeting. They did not disclose any development of the meeting. But Kumbi MLA, S Premchandra said the meeting will bring a new development in the coming days.
Notably, the meeting was attended by around 26 legislators while most of the MLAs were absent.
As per a statement, as many as 11 legislators did not attend the meeting without giving any specific reason despite receiving the notification for the meeting on Monday while another seven took leave.
As per sources, speaker Th Satyabrata, MLA Singjamei AC Y Khemchand, MLA Thanga AC T Robindro, MLA Wabagai AC Usham Deben, MLA Hiyanglam AC Y Radheshyam, MLA Heirok AC Th Radheshyam, MLA Jiribam AC Ashab Uddin, and MLA Uripok AC Kh Raghumani, MLA Thangmeiband AC Kh Joykisan were absent.
MLA Sagolband AC RK Imo and MLA Keishamthong AC S Nishikant also did not attend the meeting as they are reportedly stationed outside the state.
Among those present in the meeting are NPP MLAs, namely MLA Oinam AC Irengbam Nalini Devi, MLA Moirang AC Thongam Shanti Singh, MLA Tamenglong AC Janghemlung Panmei.
It may be mentioned that the NPP has already submitted its withdrawal of support from the state BJP Government in a letter written by NPP chief Conrad Sangma to BJP president JP Nadda on Sunday.
NPF leader and Water resources minister Awangbwo Newmai, Mao MLA Loshii Dikho, MLA Chingai AC, Khashim Vashum, MLA Phungyar AC Leishiyo Keishing were present at the meeting.
BJP legislators including PHED Minister L Susindro (Yaima), Works minister Govindas Konthoujam, MLA Langthabal AC Karam Shyam, MLA Thongju AC Bishwajit, Education minister Th Basanta Kumar, Health Minister Sapam Ranjan, MLA Lamlai AC Kh Ibomcha, and MLA Patsoi SC S Kunjakeswor, MLA Kakching AC, M Rameshwar, MLA Kumbi AC S Premchandra, MLA Nungba AC Dipu Gangmei, and MLA Sekmai AC H Dingo were also present at the meeting. Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba also attended the meeting, as per sources. MLA Karong AC J Kumo Sha was also present.
It may be recalled that 19 MLAs had been demanding for the resignation of chief minister N Biren Singh as per a letter that surfaced online in October. The letter under the leadership of speaker Th Satyabrata, minister Th Biswajit, Y Khemchand and signed by 19 MLAs of the ruling party was reportedly submitted to Prime Minister Modi asking him to replace the incumbent chief minister N Biren Singh.
The letter was reportedly submitted after the first meeting was conducted between Meitei, Kuki and Naga MLAs at Delhi on October 15. However, the recent attacks in Jiribam and the massive public outcry and protest which followed led some of the MLAs to consider their own resignation.
MLA Wabagai assembly constituency Usham Deben, MLA Hiyanglam assembly constituency Y Radheshyam have already issued statements that they are prepared to resign as per the public interest.
