Manipur CM Biren Singh-led political delegation meets Governor, submits memorandum

Speculation is rife that Singh has reportedly threatened to resign if the Centre failed to meet his demands, including handing over the unified command to the state.

Reliable sources said the Singh-led dispensation also wants the Union Government to abrogate Suspension of Operations agreements with Kuki militants and complete fencing along the India-Myanmar border. Implementation of the Free Movement Regime and the National Register of Citizens with the base year as 1961 are some of the other points in the memorandum, they added.

The submission of the memorandum came a day after the chief minister and the Governor held a private meeting, which lasted over 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, the education department issued an order stating that all educational institutes in Manipur will stay closed on Monday and Tuesday owing to the fragile law-and-order situation in the state.

This development followed drone attacks by suspected Kuki militants in the Valley districts, resulting in casualties.

The Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) had earlier declared a ‘public emergency’ on Friday, highlighting the urgency of addressing security concerns.

Manipur has been rocked by intermittent ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities since May last year.