Markets and business establishments, barring pharmacies, remained closed, while public transport was off the roads but a few private vehicles were seen on the roads.Security forces have intensified patrolling in parts of Imphal and increased deployment at many of the residences of legislators as well as all major roads leading to the secretariat, state BJP headquarters and Raj Bhavan.The National People’s Party (NPP), which has seven MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly, on Sunday withdrew support from the BJP-led government, claiming that the N Biren Singh dispensation has “completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy” in the northeastern state.The withdrawal of support, however, would not have any impact on the BJP government, as the saffron party enjoys a majority with its 32 MLAs.The saffron camp has also the support of five MLAs of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and six JD(U) legislators.Manipur has seen a fresh wave of protests after six people went missing from a camp for displaced persons in Jiribam on Monday, following a gunfight between armed men and security forces that resulted in the deaths of 10 Kuki youths.On Sunday, the bodies of two persons, believed to be among the six missing people from Jiribam, were found floating in the Barak River in neighbouring Cachar district of Assam.Two days ago, the bodies of three persons, also from the same group, were found floating in the Jiri River in Jiribam and brought to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
Source link
