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Crisis grips Manipur as 6 ministers
sacked and seven quit

The Nationalist Congress Party (two legislators) and Federal Party of Manipur (two) withdrew support to the ministry, reducing the latter's strength to 54 in the 60-member assembly.

Withdrawal of support was announced by FPM General Secretary Sharatkumar Singh and NCP leader Doungel, who demanded the immediate resignation of the chief minister.

Seven ministers resigned a few hours after Koijam sacked six for alleged links with underground outfits. The chief minister told reporters that he had rejected their resignations.

The seven who submitted separate resignation letters to Koijam were Irrigation Minister H Borobabu Singh, Backward Classes Minister Allaudin, Minister of State for Health K Ranjit Singh, Minister of State for Agriculture Chandra Singh, Minister of State for Tribal Development Danny Shaiza, Minister of State for Works Ngursanglur and Minister of State for Finance Kh Loken Singh.

Hill Areas Committee Chairman Chungkhokai Doungel, who holds a cabinet rank post and government chief whip, Onjamang Haokip also resigned from their posts, they told PTI.

Of the seven ministers who resigned, five were from the major ruling front partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party, one each from the NCP and Janata Dal-Secular.

Front sources said four of the six ministers who were sacked, were from the BJP. They were Food and Civil Supply Minister Ksh Biren Singh, Industries Minister Kunjo Singh, Sports Minister S Rajen Singh and Minister of State for Finance A Biren Singh.

Forest Minister Gangmumei Kamei and Transport Minister Khasim Ruivah were from the Federal Party of Manipur.

In another development, Speaker Sapam Dhananjoy recognised the merger of 18 members of the Progressive Manipur State Congress Party with the BJP.

With the merger, the latter's strength in the House has increased to 26.

EARLIER REPORT
6 ministers sacked in Manipur

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