If it commits to protecting lives, Govt can curb violence within a week, says former CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 11 2023: The violence in Manipur can be stopped in three days or within a week at maximum if the Centre and State Government are committed to protect lives and restore normalcy, said former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.

The like-minded Opposition parties organised a press conference at Congress Bhavan, BT Road today.

At the function, O Ibobi continued that the Supreme Court had taken note of the lawlessness in Manipur and the collapse of Constitutional machinery.

Saying that people are eagerly waiting for peace and normalcy to return so that they could restart their lives with whatever they have, the CLP leader asked if the Government sees any semblance of peace returning in Manipur.

If it commits to protecting lives, Govt can curb violence within a week, says former CM

The first priority must be on stopping the gunfights to pave a way forward and the Centre needs to hold dialogue with the Meetei and Kuki leaders, Ibobi said and added that a sincere intervention of the Government is needed to restore normalcy in the State.

The former Chief Minister also suggested completion of border fencing work to stop the influx of illegal immigrants and updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) .

It would be a blatant lie to say there were no cases of poppy plantation during the time of Congress but it wasn't widespread like today, he said.

Saying that the responsibility of the Government is to maintain law and order and to protect lives and properties, the Congress leader asked why the Government is still unable to break the cycle of violence which started over four months back.

O Ibobi urged the Government to admit if they cannot keep the law and order in Manipur under control.

What is the stand of the ruling Ministers and MLAs on Manipur violence or have they surrendered, Ibobi asked and added that the Congress party, on the other hand is still committed to protect the unity and integrity of Manipur despite having only five MLAs.

He also asked where the Government is deploying all the Central security forces which came to Manipur amid the violence.

Saying that the 10 like-minded Opposition parties will always stand against the excesses of narco-terrorists, Kuki militant groups and illegal immigrants, the former Chief Minister said that they also support the Government in carrying out eviction drives at Reserved Forest.

Assam Rifles is under the command of Union Home Minister Amit Shah so the question is what has Amit Shah been doing if Assam Rifles indeed is taking sides as claimed by many in the ongoing violence, the Congress leader asked.

Former State secretary of CPI, Manipur State Council L Sotinkumar said that they have been meeting the Central leaders and Governor since the initial stage of the violence to work out a solution but to no avail.

Claiming that the double engine BJP Government is stoking the flame of violence, he said that they condemn the Assam Rifles firing at Pallel recently.

Saying that judicial inquiry must be taken up to book the Assam Rifles personnel who fired toward the civilian at Pallel recently, the Left party leader urged the Government to take up necessary action to withdraw Assam Rifles from Manipur.

He also said that the Central leaders should have stopped the Kuki militants from attacking Meeteis first before engaging in talks with them.