NPP warns BJP to withdraw support to the government if riots are not controlled

Imphal, June 18 : National People’s Party (NPP), the main constituent party of NDA, issued a warning to the state government in the wake of violent incidents in Manipur. The NPP leadership has announced that it will withdraw its support to the government if the riots are not controlled. ‘We cannot stand by as spectators. It is the duty of the state and the center to protect the people but there is no effective intervention’, said NPP Vice President Joykumar Singh. The seven-member NPP is the second party in the NDA after the BJP.

An opposition delegation from the state had reached Delhi to meet the Prime Minister seeking immediate intervention in controlling the riots but even after three days, the Prime Minister was not ready to meet them or call for peace.

Meanwhile, there was a prolonged encounter till dawn in Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts. In many places, a group of about 300 attackers were facing the security forces, and the army chased away the attackers with rubber bullets. An attempt was made to burn the residences of BJP state president Sharada Devi and MLA Vishwajit Singh. The armed group also looted the army’s arsenal. It is reported that around five lakh weapons including ammunition have been lost so far.