100 dead, yet loyalists back Manipur CM!

NT Correspondent

New Delhi: Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh, who was reportedly on the verge of resigning on Friday, decided to go back on the decision under public pressure, a senior minister claimed. A torn resignation letter of Singh has emerged on social media. Several women gathered near the chief minister’s residence in Imphal to support him.

“We do not want the CM to resign, he should not resign. He is doing a lot of work for us. We are giving support to the CM,” says the locals Singh then tweeted saying, “At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister.” He was reported to meet with the governor at 3 pm, which led to speculation on his possible resignation.

Around 2:20, he along with a delegation of around 20 MLAs moved out of his residence to head towards the governor’s residence, but were met with the crowds outside, and had to head back. After some time, a few ministers led by the PWD minister came out to address the gathering, with minister Susidro Metitei reading out the resignation letter which was supposed to be submitted to the governor. After this, the paper was handed over to some of the gathered women, who tore it.

The developments come a day after the deaths of at least three people in a gunfight at Manipur’s Kangpokpi district has once again put the state on edge. Ethnic violence which began in early May has led to the deaths of more than a 100 people and displaced over 60,000. Singh has been on the receiving end of much criticism over his handling of the violence.