N Biren made a scapegoat Shah should step down : DMCC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 12 2025: N Biren Singh, who resigned as the Chief Minister recently has been made a "scapegoat of Delhi".

The Union Home Minister who wields the real power too must resign for his failure to restore peace in Manipur, the Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee has said today.

"Punishing the scapegoat" will not bring peace.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah must take full responsibility for the deteriorating law and order situation in Manipur and resign as the Home Minister, said DMCC in a statement released to the media today.

It asserted that the Union Home Minister and the party (BJP) high command had effectively taken over the administration of Manipur, sidelining the elected State leadership.

Since the 4th of May 2023, after the appointment of a Security Advisor, the Chief Minister had just been "co-operating" with the Union Home Minister and the party high command in Delhi, DMCC asserted.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister has been made the "scapegoat of Delhi" to bear the burden of the ongoing crisis while "real power" rests with the Union Government, it added.

"The [Union] Home Minister and the party high command had effectively taken over the administration of Manipur, sidelining the elected State leadership.

The appointment of the Security Advisor and the Director General of Police (DGP) of Manipur was made directly by the [Union] Home Minister, rendering the Chief Minister powerless in handling the crisis," DMCC said.

Despite promises made to restore peace, the Union Home Ministry has failed to take a decisive action, it said.

The Peace Committee, the Union Home Minister announced on June 1, 2023 during his official visit to Manipur (from May 29, 2023 to June 2, 2023), has remained defunct, it added.

Further, during his visit, the Union Home Minister had declared that strict action would be taken against those violating the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and carrying weapons.

However, no action has been taken against Kuki militants who have continuously violated the agreement.

Instead, they (Kuki militants) have been allowed to attack Meetei villages, police outposts, and Government offices in Kuki-dominated districts, said DMCC.

On August 15, 2023, Kuki militants under SoO were permitted to openly participate in Independence Day celebrations with sophisticated arms, while Central security forces under the command of the Home Ministry were made "to protect Kuki bunkers" in the valley under the guise of maintaining "buffer zones," forcing Meeteis to live under constant threat, said DMCC.

Further, the attacks on the Deputy Commissioner's (DC) and Superintendent of Police's (SP) offices in Churachandpur on January 4, 2024 and SP and DC office of Kangpokpi on February 16, 2025 by Kuki militants were met with inaction from the Home Ministry and Central security forces, it asserted.

To bring peace and rule of law in Manipur, the Government of India needs to stop implementing Kuki appeasement policies and protecting Kuki armed militants for gains in geopolitics or Burma policy.

The Centre must stop using Kukis against Meeteis.

Earlier, they were used against Nagas of Manipur, claimed DMCC.

Notably, the Manipur Cabinet had earlier decided to abrogate the SoO pact with Kuki National Army (KNA) and Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) on March 12, 2023.Subsequently, the Manipur State Assembly, February 29, 2024, had unanimously resolved to urge the Central Government to completely revoke the SoO pact with all Kuki-Zo militant groups.

"However, the BJP-led Union Government has ignored this resolution and has instead reportedly engaged in secret talks with Kuki militants, enabling continued violence and bloodshed," asserted DMCC.

Additionally, an action that clouded Centre's commitment to restoring peace in Manipur was the removal of former Governor of Manipur who was actively working toward restoring peaceful coexistence among communities.

The removal of the former Governor from office was done without providing any justification, it asserted.

"Given the continuous failure to restore peace, enforce law and order, and prevent loss of lives, DMCC strongly demands that Shri Amit Shah take full responsibility and immediately step down from his position as the Union Home Minister as your obedient Chief Minister has already tendered his resignation from the post of Chief Minister," it said.

The people of Manipur deserve justice, security, and a responsible Government that prioritizes peace over political interests, it stressed.

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