Manipur: BJP's North East in-charge Sambit Patra arrives in Imphal

BJP's North East in-charge Sambit Patra on Monday arrived in Manipur to meet MLAs from both Meitei and Kuki community, party sources said. 

After landing at Imphal airport, Patra headed for Churachandpur by chopper. He is expected to meet leaders of Kuki organisations as well as BJP MLAs in the district, the sources said. 

Patra was received by BJP Manipur general secretary K Sarat Kumar. Patra's visit to the state came days after 21 Manipur MLAs wrote letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah separately, urging them to form a "popular government" in the northeastern state, which is now under the President's rule, to ensure peace and normalcy. 

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The letters, containing the same appeal, were signed by 13 BJP MLAs, 3 NPP legislators, 3 Naga Peoples' Front MLAs and two independent members of the assembly. The letters were received separately by the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Home Affairs on April 29. 

The MLAs also said, "We feel that the installation of a popular government is the only means to bring peace and normalcy in Manipur. Patra after his visit to Churachandpur will return to Imphal and meet with BJP MLAs here, the source added. Patra last visited the state in February. 

President's Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 after N Biren Singh resigned as the chief minister. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been placed under suspended animation. 

Ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur since May 2023 left over 260 people dead.