NPF to withdraw support to BJP-led coalition govt in Manipur:Newmai
Imphal: The Naga People's Front (NPF) has decided to withdraw support to the BJP-led government in Manipur, a senior party leader said Sunday.
NPF Manipur state unit president Awangbou Newmai Sunday told PTI that "they were forced to take the decision to withdraw support as bigger parties were looking down upon smaller parties."
He, however, said though the decision to withdraw support has been taken, it will be implemented after the entire electioneering process is complete on May 23
A senior BJP leader said on Sunday that if the NPF withdraws support it will not have any effect on the coalition government.
The senior BJP leader told PTI that the BJP has 29 MLAs and has the support of one legislator each of the LJP, AITC and an Independent in the 60-member Manipur Assembly.
The NPF has four MLAs.
The Congress had 29 MLAs after the 2017 Assembly polls, but eight of its legislators defected to the BJP last year, taking its tally from 21 to 29 in the Assembly.
Newmai claimed the NPF was "forced" to take the decision to withdraw support as the "BJP has not honoured some of the agreements that were agreed upon when the coalition government was formed back in 2017."
"We have been patient for some two years" Newmai said, adding the bigger party "looks down on smaller groups."
Still, as representatives of the people, "we desire that respect be given to other parties."
"The BJP has never respected the spirit of alliance since the formation of government in 2017. There have been instances when their leaders have refused to consider our members as alliance partners," he said, without elaborating.
The BJP has denied the allegations made by the NPF leader.
The allegations made by the NPF are "totally baseless and unfounded". All possible cooperation has been extended to our coalition partners for smooth functioning of the government, said a senior BJP leader.
A meeting of senior NPF leaders was held in Kohima on Saturday evening to decide whether to stay in the Manipur coalition government.
The meeting was held at the NPF's central office in Kohima, which was attended by party chief Shurhozelie Liezietsu, opposition leader in Nagaland Assembly T R Zeliang, NPF core committee members and the party MLAs in Manipur.
"We had threadbare deliberations on the attitude of the BJP government in Manipur towards NPF legislators, which dwelled on withdrawing support, but the final decision is yet to be taken," NPF spokesperson Ahcumbemo Kikon told PTI.
He said the NPF central leaders and legislators from Manipur were of the view that their decision should not disturb the electioneering process.
"The final call on withdrawing from the BJP-led government in Manipur will be taken only after the completion of the entire electioneering process," he added.
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Hubballi: Gym trainer assaulted; police say clash due to personal reasons
Hubballi: A gym trainer was allegedly assaulted by a group of people following accusations of sexual assault and ‘love jihad’, even as both families involved in the case traded serious allegations.
According to police, a group of individuals went to the residence of Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijayanagar, and questioned him over his friendship with a woman he had met at a gym. The situation escalated into a clash, during which he was allegedly dragged away and assaulted. He sustained minor injuries and was admitted to KIMS hospital.
N. Shashikumar said that after this incident, members from Sameer’s side went to the woman’s house, leading to another clash in which one person was injured. “It was wrong for groups to go near houses. We will take necessary legal action,” he said, adding that the incident appears to have arisen from personal reasons. Police have taken some individuals into custody and are investigating the matter.
Sameer Mulla was reportedly thrashed by a group of Sangh Parivar activists and later handed over to police at the Old Hubballi Police Station after relatives of the woman and members of Hindu organisations gathered at his residence in Rajnagar.
The woman’s family alleged assault and threats from Sameer’s relatives at their Vikas Nagar residence.
Meanwhile, Sameer’s family denied the allegations and accused the woman’s relatives and others of assaulting and kidnapping him. His sister said the two had been in a relationship for three years and that the allegations were baseless.
Police said statements from both sides have been recorded, and a detailed investigation is underway. Sameer remains hospitalised, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on findings.
In a video statement shared on social media, the 20-year-old woman alleged that Sameer had given her an intoxicant, recorded videos without her consent, and sexually assaulted her. She lodged a complaint alleging rape and blackmail, which police are investigating.
In another video, Sameer denied the allegations, claiming the video was recorded with consent and that the accusations were made under pressure.
Former Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) chairman Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a serious matter and urged police to take strict action.
Police said the case involves multiple complaints from both sides, and further investigation is underway.
