Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, June 22:
EN Rammohon, Advisor (R), to the Governor, Ved Marwah, said the situation still remains tense and it is uncertain when it would be safe to lift the curfew in the state altogether.
Talking to journalists, Ram Mohan, said there definitely were elements in the pattern of attacks on June 18 that suggested pre-plan.
The Raj Bhavan being the representative of the Central government was the first target he said.
Asked if there were intelligence lapse on the part of the state administration to be caught napping by the outbreak of violent demonstration on that day, he said no.Queried further why there were no moves to make ay preemptive strikes if intelligence were available of the alleged sabotage plans, he said the state did not have adequate force then.
Asked why during the extended orgy of effigy burning and with it the buildup of the crowd frenzy, the state administration did not take any measures to control the situation, he said effigy burning is not an offence.
On the further question that if the curfew which is now in force had been imposed a day earlier things could have been different; he said the state did not have the force to do this.
It is no point declaring curfew when it cannot be imposed effectively he said.
If this was the case, why was the assistance of the army or the AR not sought? He said the Army can be called out only when the situation has gone out of control, and not for preventive action.
When pointed out that the Army, specially the AR, found it embarrassing to simply watch the burning down of the state Assembly building and the Speaker�s residence, which are adjacent to the 9 Sector HQ at the Kangla, he said he is not aware of it.
Cable TVs were also taken off the air after the violence of June 18, but never when the crowd frenzy was building up.
He said censoring the media can have very undesirable consequences.
When pointed out that the media and so also a large section of the public were already expecting curfew or at least prohibitory orders at least two days ahead of June 18, he said the public should come with such information if they have it.
But if the public can sense trouble just by watching the happenings brought to their homes live on the cable TVs, how come the state administration with all is well paid intelligence wing did not have an inkling, is a question in everybody�s mind today.
As for the June 18 incident, he said there was nothing much that could have been done to prevent the crowds from gathering.
When the mob started forming, the administration found itself short of the force required to control the situation at hand, he said.
�The mobs were coming in from all directions and there was no way the police could stop them,� he said.
Local police cannot control local mobs,� adding �this is true everywhere.� The Governor�s advisor however shifted the blame on the Central leaders too.