Ex-MLA RK Anand shares thought on present crisis
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 11 2023:
With violence lingering on for over four months with no end in sight , ex-MLA RK Anand has categorically stated that the people of Manipur won't accept the Nation first ideology of the BJP Government if it is going to harm the interest of Manipur.
Speaking to media persons at the residence of ex-Minister O Joy at Kakwa today, RK Anand said that the Government creating buffer zones in the State is uncalled for as it is akin to having two Governments in Manipur and urged the Government to remove the buffer zones.
Why is the Manipur Government so ineffective in hill districts, RK Anand asked and urged the Government to take action against all those who scheme to disintegrate the State.
RK Anand continued that the current issue besieging Manipur is the biggest challenge to the survival of Meeteis.
It is the Kuki narco-terrorists who have been waging war against the Manipur society and the Government is unable to control them, the ex-MLA said.
Saying that it is the failure of the Government which compelled the public to come out and face the armed Kuki narco-terrorists on its own, RK Anand rued that the Centre also hasn't shown any commitment to end the violence till date.
Claiming that the Cabinet has resolved to extend AFSPA in Manipur for another six months recently and the same was very unfortunate, he asked why the Government is still implementing the law passed down by the British to give sweeping power to the Army till today.
Is the Centre taking the interest of Manipur lightly simply because of the fact that the State has only two Members of Parliament, RK Anand asked and accused the Indian Government of playing divide and rule policy among the people of Manipur and civil society organisations.
The ex-MLA also said that the Kuki MLAs demanding separate administration for the people they represent is unfortunate.
Meanwhile, RK Anand asked the Government to initiate a judicial inquiry pertaining to the Pallel incident where two persons were killed and many others left injured in Assam Rifles firing and book the personnel involved.
Asking why the Cabinet is unable to take a decision to remove Assam Rifles from the State though the people have lost faith in the paramilitary force completely, the ex-MLA said that the Government needs to be bold if they want to safeguard Manipur.
He went on to state that the Government in Manipur is very weak as they can't even take action against the Kuki militant groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact who have been attacking civilians openly .
SoO groups get their allowances from the taxes levied upon the people, he reminded and asked the Government to take befitting action against Kuki militant groups for violating the SoO agreement.