Manipur MLAs to wait till Aug.1 to resign

IMPHAL, JUNE 20. Manipur legislators today said that they would resign en masse if the Centre did not withdraw the extension of Naga ceasefire to the State by August 1.

The 36 MLAs told PTI after a meeting here that they would first go to New Delhi and urge the Central leaders to retract the ceasefire extension by August 1. If the Centre did not do so, all the 36 MLAs would resign en masse from the Assembly.

The MLAs belonged to all political parties, including the BJP, the Samata, the Congress and others, they said adding 24 others could not attend the meeting due to various reasons.

The Speaker, Mr. Sapam Dhananjoy, the former Chief Ministers, Mr. W. Nipamacha Singh, Mr. Rishang Keishing and Mr. R.K. Dorendra Singh, jointly presided over the meeting which held as ``very unfortunate'' the killing of 13 civilians in the CRPF firing on Monday.

The All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) and four other organisations yesterday set a 24-hour deadline for the MLAs and MPs to resign failing which they would take action.

Several legislators in the 60-member House were in hiding, apprehending ``attack from the people any time,'' following Monday's widespread arson and disturbances, official sources said.

Last rites performed

The last rites of 13 people killed on Monday in police firing during demonstrations against the Centre- NSCN (I-M) ceasefire extension to Manipur were performed at Kekrupat, near the Kangla Fort here today.

Only 10 family members of each of the deceased and some AMSU leaders and the All-Manipur United Clubs Organisation were allowed to attend the funeral. Press photographers were prevented from taking pictures as the State administration feared that it might fuel resentment among the people.

Minister 'serious'

The condition of former Manipur Minister, Mr. N. Bihari Singh, who was injured in Monday's violence, remained `very serious', hospital sources said today.

They said he had sustained 70 per cent burns and was believed to have inhaled smoke, partly affecting his lungs.

Mr. Singh, along with four MLAs, sustained injuries when demonstrators had set afire the State Assembly building.

Aerial patrolling

Army helicopters carried out aerial patrolling of Manipur valley following reports of congregation of people at several places despite indefinite curfew in three districts. Official sources said, the indefinite curfew will be relaxed for two hours from 7 a.m. tomorrow.

Assam bandh

According to a Guwahati report, the 48- hour bandh called to protest the ceasefire extension disrupted normal life in the NC hills district of Assam today.

- PTI

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