Manipur outfit summons MPs & MLAs, tribals fear 'anarchy'

IMPHAL: Manipur's Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) on Thursday flagged the act of the radical valley-based group Arambai Tenggol "summoning" 40 MLAs and two MPs to a meeting and getting them to allegedly endorse its demands as an invitation to anarchy.

"All this happened even as a special team sent by the Centre was camping nearby. Why did the world's largest democracy allow this?" ITLF said.

As armoured vehicles and security forces cordoned off the neighbourhood, the radical group claimed to have extracted an assurance in writing from the legislators that they would argue its case before the Centre. Its demands include revoking an agreement with tribal militant outfits for suspension of operations by security forces, implementation of NRC, Assam Rifles' exit from the state, and revoking ST status to "Kuki immigrants".

ITLF said President's rule was the only way out for the Centre if it wanted to halt the state's downward spiral.