NPF: Bandh supporters disrupting Christmas spirit

IMPHAL, December 23: The Manipur unit of Naga People's Front (NPF) wonders whether the state government of Manipur exists at all alleging that the bandh supporters have been given a free hand in disrupting the Christmas activities.

As the bandh turned violent since yesterday in the state capital Imphal called by Film Forum Manipur (FFM) and supported by various civil society organisations in protest against the alleged assault case of Manipuri film actress Momoko on December 18 by an NSCN-IM cadre.

The NPF, Manipur unit said the ongoing agitation is not appropriate of the December 18 incident saying it was a petty case but the state government has magnified it by bringing up in the state assembly. The NPF, Manipur unit demanded the resignation of chief minister O Ibobi Singh, deputy chief minister Gaikhangam who also holds the home portfolio on moral ground. According to the NPF, Manipur unit, the state government has failed to contain the situation. "Therefore, the SPF government is unfit to govern the state," it said.

The NPF, Manipur unit then alleged that chief minister Ibobi Singh is trying to divert the people in order to cover-up the corruption he is involved at to the tune of crores of rupees. The NPF terms the present imbroglio as a 'state-sponsored' agitation. The Manipur unit of NPF also tags the civil society organisations supporting the present agitation as 'immature'.  It then said Christmas is the greatest festival of the Christians 'but the state-sponsored agitation has disrupted it."