Manipur ministers sacked

The chief minister of the north-east Indian state of Manipur, Ibobi Singh, has sacked a cabinet minister and two junior ministers.

Mr Singh told the BBC that he had removed his minister for forests, Christopher Doungel, and junior ministers Radhakishore Singh and Wunaosong Keishing, because he suspected them of plotting against his government.

Mr Singh, who belongs to the Congress party and heads a coalition government in Manipur, alleged that the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was trying to topple his government by enticing some legislators to switch sides.

The BBC correspondent in eastern India says it is not clear whether the three sacked ministers will have enough support to destabilise Mr Singh's government.

Mr Singh's government has the backing of 35 legislators in a 60-member house.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service