Ex-MLA RK Anand regrets Manipur situation
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 19 2023:
Stating that cen-tral and state governments should seriously look into the demand for issuing licensed firearms amid tension gripping the state, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa for-mer MLA Rk Anand opined that such demand reflects high emotion among the affected people and their lack of trust in the admin-istration.
Speaking to news persons at his Kwakeithel Akham Leikai residence on Thurs-day, Rk Anand contended that in-spite of the gov-ernment's efforts to restore normalcy, people are not satisfied.
The statements of security advisor Kuldiep Singh about the commu-nal clash in a press brief-ing seemed contradictory to the ground reality, he maintained while pointing out that the intention of the Meetei people to arm and protect themselves in foothill villages, which are frequently being attacked by well-armed persons, testify either inefficiency on the part of security forces deployed or lack of trust.
In the worst case scenario the growing demand for issuing licensed firearms will lead to outbreak of civil war, he cautioned.
Recalling the Kuki-Na-ga conflict of 1992, where Meitei community inter-vened without taking any side, he continued that Thadous, Khongjais and other communities have been living harmoniously in the state since time im-memorial.
There had been unwanted conflicts between Kuki Naga and Meitei-Pan-gal but these communities are living in harmony.
In the Naga-Kuki conflict, the death toll reached over 1,000, both continue to live together.
As such, it is re-gretful that the Kukis are harbouring against the Meetei community and expressing apprehension that they won't be able to settle in Manipur as before, he said.
Regarding the attempt by 10 Kuki MLAs to disintegrate Manipur, he said that they could even be punished un-der Indian Penal Code for inciting disharmony among the communities and to bal-kanise the state.
At party level they could be removed, Rk Anand maintained, while questioning why no punitive action is initiated against them till now.
As there are enough evi-dences about involvement of cadres of Kuki armed outfits under SoO agreement in the communal clash, the pact should be revoked imme-diately and they should be tracked down so as to re-store peace and normalcy.