Imphal/Delhi, May 06 2010: In protest against the State Government's decision to bar NSCN (IM) General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah from entering Manipur, six independent Naga MLAs have resigned today.

The six MLAs who have resigned are M Thorii (elected from Mao A/C), W Morung Makunga ( Tengnoupal A/C), Awangbou Newmai (Tamei A/C), K Raina (Tadubi A/C), Wungnaoshang Keishing (Phungyar A/C) and Dr Khasim Ruivah, from Chingai Assembly Constituency.

These MLAs who have been camping at Delhi have faxed their resignation letters to the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly this afternoon.

However, there is no report whether the Speaker has accepted the resignations of the six MLAs.

According to information received from the Assembly Secretariat, it is pertinent to first ascertain whether the MLAs resigned according to their own will or under pressure.

Speaking to The Sangai Express about their resignation, MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing said that the proposed visit of NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th Muivah to his native village Somdal is to bring peace, not on any mission to disintegrate Manipur.

He elaborated that the six MLAs including himself resigned from their posts in protest against the Cabinet decision to prevent Muivah from visiting Manipur, causing deaths and bloodshed at Mao and administrative failures of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.

Notably, the United Naga Council and the JAC Against ADC Elections under Unwanted District Council Act have been demanding the Naga independent MLAs to resign in protest against the State Government's resolution to go ahead with the ADC elections as scheduled.

Meanwhile the six MLAs, who are currently in Delhi to seek an audience with the Prime Minister, spoke to the media in a news conference at the capital this evening.

Speaking out their stand the six MLAs blamed the CM for the incident at Mao today adding that the sentiments of the Nagas have been hurt and insulted.

Further the Naga representatives stated that due to the tense situation, the Government should provided security to the minority community in the Imphal areas and also to all the hill districts.

Though the said six Naga MLAs were not given an appointment with the PM, they have sent a memorandum to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister and met the Interlocutor of the Naga peace talks R S Pandey, who had told them that the Law and Order Situation is in the hands of the State government.

In the memorandum the MLAs stated that in this situation they are not in a position to function as representatives of the people and were not in a position to protect their people.

The memorandum also stated that the valley Meitei community have not protested against the visit and accused the CM of deliberately inciting violence against the people to safeguard his power.