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3 ministers, deputy speaker quit over non-creation of new district

Three ministers and the deputy speaker of Manipur assembly have tendered their resignations to Chief Minister W Nipamach Singh in protest against the ''failure'' of the government to form a separate Sadar Hills district.

State horticulture and soil conservation minister Ngamthang Haokip, sericulture minister T N Haokip and minister of state for power Thangkilen Kipgen, besides deputy speaker T T Haokip, all belonging to the Kuki tribe, in a letter to the chief minister alleged that the government had failed to fulfil its commitment to Sadar Hills district demand committee for the creationof Kangpokpi district by October 28 last and hence they had to take the drastic step of quitting the council of ministers.

The resignations of the three ministers and the deputy speaker were sent to the chief minister soon after adjournment of a meeting of the council of ministers, which failed to decide on the issue of creating a separate Kangpokpi district, bifurcating the existing Sanapati district.

Six Naga MLAs, including former chief minister Rishang Keishing had threatened the government of ''bad consequences'' if a separate district was awarded to Kukis without proper consultation with Naga organisations.

The outgoing ministers appealed to all sections of the people to maintain peace and communal harmony in the wake of mounting tension following the alleged failure of the government to create the new district.

UNI

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