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Imphal, October 9 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) President Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday said his party was trying to resolve the unresolved issues affecting Manipur.
Sangma, after holding a series of meetings with party leaders, MLAs and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Imphal, said the NPP is strongly committed to working with the people of Manipur to promote peace, harmony and sustainable progress.
The NPP, which has its organizational base in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh besides Meghalaya, had won seven seats in the 60-seat Manipur Assembly in the last assembly elections in 2023.
Sangma on his official
“Had discussions with various organizations in Imphal today. Our endeavor is to understand the concerns from the grassroots level and work with all stakeholders as a team to be part of the journey of ensuring peace and stability in Manipur,” the NPP supremo said in another post on Twitter.
Sangma reached Imphal on Thursday afternoon along with NPP MLAs Sheikh Nurul Hasan, Shanti, Rameshwar, Loken and state leader Joykumar along with national general secretary (organisation) Pakanga Bage, national secretary Saidul Khan and National People’s Youth Front president Niki Nongkhalaw.
He said the purpose of his visit was to meet local leaders, community representatives and stakeholders to assess the ground situation and promote normalcy in the state.
“Many efforts have been made to resolve the ethnic crisis. Although some progress has been made, challenges remain. More engagement is needed to ensure complete peace,” the NPP chief told the media.
He stressed that the formation of a popular and democratic government is vital for lasting peace and stressed the importance of collective efforts of all stakeholders.
When asked about increasing the NPP’s presence in the state, he said: “Our priority is to restore peace and normalcy. Elections are far away; serving the people comes first.”
An NPP leader said Sangma, during his two-day stay in Manipur, will meet Meitei and Naga CSOs in Imphal and interact with violence-affected internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Moreh, Churachandpur and other areas sheltered in relief camps. The Meghalaya Chief Minister will also meet Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan to discuss measures to restore peace and stability.
He will hold a joint meeting with NPP MLAs, state executive and party officials to discuss strengthening the party and chalk out a strategy ahead of the 2027 Manipur Assembly elections. On Friday (October 10), Sangma will leave for Dimapur (Nagaland), where he is scheduled to hold discussions with Kuki CSOs and IDPs in Kangpokpi and meet late NPP Manipur president and MLA N. There is a program to pay tribute at Kayisi’s residence.
In a significant political development, former Lok Sabha MP from Outer Manipur and former Naga People’s Front (NPF) leader Dr Lorho S Foze joined the NPP in Shillong in the presence of Sangma last month.
The Meghalaya CM had said in a post on
The NPP had withdrawn support to the BJP-led government in Manipur on November 17 last year, claiming that Chief Minister N. The Biren Singh-led government “completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy” in the violence-hit state. The NPP, a constituent of the BJP-led NDA, had seven MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly. However, the withdrawal by the NPP had no impact on the Biren Singh-led government as the BJP has 37 MLAs and also has the support of five Naga People’s Front (NPF) MLAs and three independent MLAs.
NPP MLA N. Kayisi, who was also the president of the party’s Manipur unit, died on January 18 after a prolonged illness, leaving the party with six MLAs in the House at present.
–IANS
SC/PGH