Biren Singh's Govt Loses KPA's Support Post Manipur Violence

Kuki People's Alliance (KPA) withdraws support from N Biren Singh's government in Manipur post the violence that erupted in Manipur.

KPA's decision to walk out of the ruling alliance comes at a time when the government headed by Biren Singh continues to be under fire over its inability to control the violence which has killed more than 160 people.

The Kuki People's Alliance has two MLAs in the Manipur Assembly, Kimneo Haokip Hangshing from Saikul and Chinlunthang from Singhat.

The BJP has 32 members in the Manipur Assembly, while it has support of five NPF MLAs and three independent legislators.

The opposition legislators include seven from the NPP, five from the Congress and six from JD(U).

"After careful consideration of the current configuration, the continued support for the incumbent government of Manipur led by chief minister N Biren Singh is no longer fructuous. Accordingly, the support of the KPA to the Government of Manipur as hereby withdrawn and can be considered null and void", a leader to Governor Anusuiya Uikey read.

Violent clashes erupted in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Metei community's demand for the scheduled tribe (ST) status.

The clashes erupted after tensions over the eviction of Kuki villagers from the reserve forest land. Meiteis account for about 53 percent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. On the other hand, tribals like Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 percent of the population and reside in the hill district.