The Opposition Democratic People’s Alliance (DPA) in Manipur yesterday demanded that Governor Arvind Dave dismiss ministers having links with militants from the Congress-led Secular Progressive Front Ministry, while accusing Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh of protecting them.

The DPA leaders, who called on the Governor, did not divulge the names of the ministers, but party sources alleged that at least six ministers had links with militant outfits.If these ministers were not dropped, the DPA would inform the Centre, DPA leaders R. K. Dorendra Singh (BJP), L. Chandramani Singh (Federal Party of Manipur president), M. Nilachandra Singh (FPM), Gangmumei Kamei (FPM) and O Joy Singh (Manipur People’s Party (MPP), warned.Commenting on Opposition charges, ruling SPF spokesman Gaikhangam in a statement termed the allegations as "baseless and misleading."He also denied press reports that the Centre had instructed the SPF Ministry to drop some ministers.

Gaikhangam, the Works Minister said if there was a nexus between a minister and militant outfits, "the Opposition should clarify and give evidence instead of trying to topple the present ministry."He said there were many reports about certain Opposition members having close links with underground outfits either directly or indirectly, but the government expected a constructive role from Opposition parties.Gaikhangam also denied press reports that ruling party members were planning to support the Opposition DPA and termed these reports as "ridiculous".He also termed the allegations of the Opposition as totally baseless and misleading.

Mr Gaikhangam further alleged that the claim of the Opposition leaders that 13 members of the coalition government were willing to join a non-Congress government was also absurd and ridiculous and a political propaganda of the DPA leaders, who indulged in government-toppling games instead of playing their role as constructive Opposition.

In fact, the DPA had been making desperate attempt to destabilise the ruling government thereby demanding President’s rule in the State, which would be against the interests of the people of Manipur, he opined.

He urged the Opposition leaders to come forward to discuss issues of public importance and cooperate with the government in its serious and concerted effort to bring about all round and balanced development in the State instead of trying to get political mileage by making false allegations against the government.

Meanwhile all the six ministers who have been charged with having a nexus with insurgents, have denied their links with the rebels. The Opposition Democratic People's Alliance (DPA) had called on the Governor Arvind Dave to demand sacking of these "tainted" ministers.

Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh closeted himself with the six ministers. The charges were discussed threadbare since the DPA had gone to the Governor and made announcements to the press. One newspaper had published the names of the six ministers.

Tribal Development Minister Ngamthang Haokip said that the charge levelled against him was baseless. He claimed that he had been at loggerheads with the insurgents since 1990. Public Health Engineering Minister Govindas Konthoujam said that if the charge of nexus with the insurgents was proved he would resign from the House. The insurgents had even attacked his house before the 2002 Assembly elections. Konthoujam contended that some senior "political terrorists" were trying to spoil the political career of the young politicians.

The Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister N Loken said that charges levelled against him were baseless and said that he will take recourse to legal redress.

Family Welfare Minister Bijoy Koijam and Agriculture Minister K Ranjit sent legal notices to the newspaper, which had published the names of the "tainted" ministers. It appears that the news report was based on the memorandum the Opposition DPA had submitted to the Governor.

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