The Manipur Peoples' Party (MPP) on Monday expressed dissatisfaction over the meeting between Union Home minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister N Biren Singh held on Sunday in New Delhi.
The MPP likened the outcome of the meeting between the two leaders to "division of the state and the existence of two chief ministers" within Manipur.
RELATED: Manipur Turmoil: Centre to take care of hills, asked CM Biren to restore peace in valley
According to Biren Singh's statement shared with the media upon his arrival at Imphal Airport on Sunday, the Union home minister had assured that all necessary measures would be taken to restore peace in the hill regions of Manipur.
Reacting strongly to this statement, MPP president Ch Shamjai, while addressing the media at the party's office in Imphal, described the outcome of the meeting as indicative of Biren's “cowardice”.
He called on the chief minister to demonstrate courage and emphasised that now is not the time to resign from his post amid the ongoing unrest and urged the chief minister to initiate the lifting of the blockade on NH-2 by utilising all available forces.
The MPP president urged the central government to take immediate action to restore normalcy in Manipur, and ensure smooth functioning of education and agricultural activities. He stressed the importance of promptly resettling displaced persons in their respective places.
Shamjai also condemned the alleged harassment by the central forces carried out under the pretext of maintaining law and order. He reaffirmed the MPP's stance against any external forces that may attempt to disintegrate the territorial integrity of Manipur.
