Imphal, Oct 10 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma, announced on Friday that his party, the National People's Party (NPP), is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by the people of Manipur and aims to restore enduring peace and stability in the region.

Upon arriving in Imphal, the capital of Manipur, on Thursday, CM Sangma conducted numerous meetings with party leaders, MLAs, various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to evaluate the current state of affairs in the violence-affected area.

He firmly stated that the NPP does not endorse the call for a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo tribal groups.

"We categorically oppose the division of Manipur or any requests for a separate governance structure. We consistently encourage all communities to engage in discussions to resolve differences through dialogue," CM Sangma told reporters.

Since the onset of ethnic strife in Manipur in May 2023, various Kuki-Zo organizations and ten MLAs—including seven from the BJP—have been advocating for a distinct administration, potentially a Union Territory with legislative powers.

CM Sangma asserted that the NPP stands as the sole national political entity genuinely committed to the welfare of the Northeast region.

"We are not governed by a high-command structure. Our policies and strategies are developed with the public and regional interests at the forefront, rather than those of the political party," he emphasized.

He mentioned that the NPP serves as the voice for the eight Northeastern states and has extended its outreach throughout the area.

With a presence in Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, in addition to Meghalaya, the NPP secured seven seats in the recent 2023 Manipur Assembly elections.

In Meghalaya, the BJP, with two MLAs, backs the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government led by CM Sangma. He clarified that despite the NPP previously withdrawing its support from the BJP government in Manipur over Chief Minister N. Biren Singh's alleged mishandling of the crisis, the party remains affiliated with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

"We will continue our partnership with the BJP-led NDA and various administrations in the Northeast," the NPP President reaffirmed.

He highlighted that the NPP is attentive to the public's voice and is committed to serving the region earnestly.

During his meeting with Governor Bhalla, Sangma discussed the feedback gathered from numerous leaders, CSOs, MLAs, and stakeholders throughout his series of discussions.

"We informed the Governor that our party is actively working in Manipur to restore normalcy and enduring peace. We received a positive response from him," he stated. The NPP leader added that his visit aimed to connect with local leaders, community representatives, internally displaced people (IDPs), and stakeholders to understand the ground realities and foster stability in the state.

"Numerous initiatives have been undertaken to address the ethnic crisis. While some advancements have been made, challenges persist. Increased engagement is essential to ensure comprehensive peace," he told the media.

CM Sangma stressed that establishing a popular and democratic government is crucial for achieving lasting peace and emphasized the necessity for collaborative efforts from all parties involved.

When questioned about expanding the NPP’s footprint in Manipur, he remarked, "Our main focus is to restore peace and normalcy. Elections are still distant; prioritizing service to the people is paramount."

CM Sangma planned to depart for Dimapur (Nagaland) on Friday to engage with CSOs representing the Kuki-Zo community and IDPs from the Kangpokpi district, as well as to pay respects at the residence of the late NPP President and MLA N. Kayisii in Senapati district, an area inhabited by the Naga community.

The NPP had previously withdrawn its support from the BJP-led government in Manipur on November 17 of last year, asserting that Chief Minister N. Biren Singh's administration had "utterly failed to restore order and normalcy" in the violence-impacted state.

As a participant in the BJP-led NDA, the NPP possessed seven MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly. However, the withdrawal did not disrupt the stability of the Biren Singh government, which retains 37 MLAs along with support from five MLAs of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and three Independents.

Following a prolonged illness, NPP MLA N. Kayisii, who also served as the party's Manipur unit president, passed away on January 18, leaving the party with six legislators in the Assembly.