May withdraw support to Government: NPP
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 17 2023: The National People's Party (NPP) has categorically stated that it may take a decision to withdraw support to the BJP-led Government if the Government does not work to bring the prevailing situation under control.

Speaking to media persons at their Naoremthong office yesterday, NPP National vice-president Yumnam Joykumar urged both the State Government and the Centre to take up necessary measures to resolve the protracted crisis and restore normalcy in the State.

The paddy season is already in.

It would be a huge loss for the whole State if people cannot go to fields for paddy cultivation, he said.

Pointing out that formal education was disrupted for two years by the Covid-19 pandemic, Joykumar underscored the urgent need to restore normalcy so that students can go back to schools.

He informed that a joint meeting of NPP MLAs and State executive members was held today regarding the crisis besieging the State.

Even though Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave assurance to restore peace and normalcy in the State within 15 days, no concrete action has been initiated till date to end the crisis.

It has been more than 15 days since Amit Shah left Imphal after his three-day visit to the State, Joykumar pointed out.

Whereas the NPP has been closely watching to what extent the Union Home Minister's assurances have been translated into action, the violence has been only escalating, he said.

Being a State subject, maintenance of law and order is the responsibility of the State Government.

However, the Ministry of Home Affairs appointed a Security Advisor to the Government of Manipur and the Security Advisor has been appointed head of the unified command of security forces.

Given this development, it is not clear who is in charge of the State's law and order.

There are signs of duality in managing the State's law and order, Joykumar remarked.

It is not clear whether the State Government or the Central Government is in charge of law and order, he said.

With the Government unable to protect the lives of citizens and their properties, people are taking up arms to defend themselves.

People no longer trust the State Government or the Central Government, the NPP vice-president said.

The State forces' inability to protect people's lives and properties despite having sufficient strength is highly questionable, he said.

Nowadays people feel highly insecure and this is a big failure of the State Government, he said.

Both the State Government and the Centre need to take up concrete actions after understanding the major factors responsible for the current crisis, Joykumar continued.

He said that the State Government signed a SoO pact with Kuki militants in 2008 when he was serving as the DGP.

Joykumar pointed out that the SoO pact was signed under an agreement that the territorial integrity of Manipur would not be challenged.

It was also agreed that both the State Government and the Centre would act against the Kuki militants if they violate the SoO ground rules, he said.

He also recalled the Union Home Minister's assurance that stringent action would be initiated if the Kuki militants violate the SoO ground rules.

But there have been numerous instances of Kuki militants opening fire indiscriminately upon civilians, thereby blatantly violating SoO ground rules.

The Central Government needs to take up strong actions against these Kuki militants, he said.

Asking how long the displaced people would be accommodated at relief camps, Joykumar urged the Government to invest all possible efforts to restore normalcy in the State.

Once there is normalcy, the Government should take up rehabilitation measures without any delay, he said.

Before 1971, all the hillocks adjoining the valley belonged to the valley districts.

The Government needs to take resettlement measures at these hillocks including Langol for those people displaced from Churachandpur and Moreh who are in position to go back to their villages, Joykumar said.

On the appointment of NPP MLA Thongam Shanti among the members of the Peace Committee set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the NPP vice-president said that the party did not give its consent to the appointment.

Moreover, MLA Shanti said that his consent was not sought before he was made a member of the committee, according to Joykumar.

It would have been much more meaningful if distinguished personalities belonging to both the Meitei and Kuki communities who would be acceptable to both the communities were made members of the peace committee even if its members are limited, he said.

Maintaining that there is no need for inclusion of MLAs, Ministers and MPs in the peace committee, Joykumar urged the Government of India to form the peace committee anew.

The NPP vice-president also highlighted the urgent need to open Imphal-Dimapur highway which is being blocked at Kangpokpi.

He urged Amit Shah to translate his assurance of ensuring free movement of people and goods on highways into action.

The territorial integrity of Manipur should not be compromised under any circumstances and SoO must be abrogated if the ground rules cannot be enforced effectively, Joykumar asserted.

NPP Manipur State president N Kayisii, ex-Minister Yumkham Erabot, ex-MLA S Subhashchandra, NPYF Manipur president Laitonjam Jayananda and ex-MLA Konthoujam Sarat were also present at the press meet.

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