Imphal, August 09 2009: After almost seven and half years, the final days of companionship between Congress and CPI in the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government in Manipur seem to be coming to an end.

Prompted by the police excesses in the Khwairamband market fake encounter of July 23 and following agitations by the people against it, the already beleaguered CPI has decided to quit the SPF ministry, very reliable sources informed.

However, CPI leaders are not willing to make an official annoucement until they meet with the Governor.

The sources said, many CPI leaders have felt that the arrest of Chungkham Sanjit by the police commandos and taking him around in front of the public, then killing him in cold blood in a fake encounter and putting a gun near his body and claim that he was killed in an encounter was an inhuman act and flagrant violation of human rights.

Thus the party had to conscientiously take the decision to leave the SPF, the sources said.

After former minister Dr M Nara had quit as the secretary of the SPF, there emerged a contentious issue within the CPI that the party should part ways with the Congress.

The issue had been discussed at the level of the party's state committee not less than four times.

But today the party took the decision to leave SPF, the sources revealed.

In the wake of the Khwairamband market killing, intense agitations of the public have been launched in different parts of the state.

However, the Congress has never bothered to discuss the situation with its coalition partner CPI.

Instead of giving the CPI an opportunity to share the discussions, only the Congress Legislature Party's meetings were held.

This indicates the intention of Congress party to subdue the major issue of the state and is also an open indication that Congress wants the CPI to get out of the SPF ministry, the sources said.

The Congress' style of keeping its partner in the government away from discussions on major issues of the state shows that Congress can do without CPI.

On the other hand, it was an insult to the CPI, party workers strongly felt and put pressure on the leaders to leave the SPF ministry.

Since about last two years, CPI had asked the Chief Minister, O Ibobi, who is also chairman of SPF, orally, officially and by sending letters through party level, the Chief Minister had never responded.

Besides, when the Chief Minister announced, after the meeting of the CLP, the suspension of six police commandos including one SI, an MLA had reportedly told newspersons to know the reasons why CPI MLAs were excluded from the meeting and the press conference.

The party took it seriously, the sources said.

The CPI leaders tried to meet the Governor of Manipur this evening to inform him of the party's decision, but couldn't get an opportunity today since it was Sunday today besides having curfew.

The party leaders are trying get an appointment with the Governor during office hours tomorrow.

After meeting with the Governor, Health & Family Welfare, CADA and Labour & Employment Minister Ph Parijat and also chairman of Manitron N Mangi will submit their resignation papers from their respective posts separately to the Governor, the sources informed.

The CPI leaders will probably ask the Governor, Gurbachan Jagat to dismiss the SPF government on the ground that the ministry was formed as that of SPF, not of Congress, therefore if the SPF splits, the ministry ought not to exist, the sources said.

The CPI will also submit a memorandum listing a number of charges made against Chief Minister O Ibobi to the Governor.

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