Fight terrorism at home: State AAP leader
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 10 2023:
Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew the attention of world leaders in the G-20 Summit in Delhi to end global terrorism, the Centre has failed to curb activities of terrorism at home, said AAP leader Biswanath Thingom accusing the Centre of prolonging the present violence in Manipur.
At Manipur Press Club, Activity Coordinator of Aam Aadmi Party Manipur, Biswanath said even after 131 days, violence continues in Manipur and the conflict between the communities has deepened even more.
While the State Cabinet yesterday took many decisions, it didn't mention anything to end the continuous attacks of the Kuki "terrorists".
This is unfortunate for the people, he said.
The State Government is unable to protect the lives and properties of the citizens, and it seems that the Government is there to announce and give compensation only, Biswanath said.
"Kuki terrorists" have not ceased attacking civilians.
The violence since May 3 has killed many, burnt thousands of houses and displaced more than 60,000 people.
Even after 131 days, the Centre and the State Government have not taken up any concrete steps to end the violence.
People have suspicion if the Indian Government is sponsoring and intentionally prolonging the conflict, Biswanath said.
"At present, the people's demand is very simple.
They want peace and security.
They aren't asking the impossible.
If the Centre and the State Government are willing, they can end the violence today," Biswanath said.
The AAP Manipur is in no way obstructing the State Government in its functioning, but it is appalled by the Government's lack of knowledge on the differences between a "house and a home", he said, hinting at the Government's failure to bring peace and allow the displaced people to return to their original settlements.
On the Centre's failure to end violence and deter forces that are causing unrest in Manipur, he said the Indian Government has failed to end "activities of terrorism" in its soil.
During the G-20 Summit in Delhi yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew the attention of the world leaders to bring an end to terrorism.
However, the Government has failed to curb terrorism at home, he said.
"Is the attack on one community by the Kuki "terrorists" not an act of terrorism? Is the Centre's slogan--Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Bikash, Sab Ka Bishwas--not applied to Manipur?" He asked.
On the other hand, the APP Manipur strongly condemns the "inhuman" acts committed on innocent citizens by the Assam Rifles at Pallel on Friday.
The security forces who are supposed to protect citizens trained their guns and shot at them.
If they [Assam Rifles] had not pointed the barrels at the people and shown the same courage and confronted the "Kuki terrorists," AAP would have urged the President of India to give them medals, Biswanath said.
The Central forces deployed in Manipur should act more sensitively and cautiously, and uphold the Constitution when they discharge their duties, he added.
What is more appalling amid all these is the Outer Lok Sabha candidate Benjamin Mate spreading fake news to misinform and mislead the people, he said.
When Kuki "terrorists" had carried out attacks against Meitei civilians, Benjamin Mate had claimed that one personnel of the Assam Rifles had been killed in an attack by "Meitei militants" at Pallel when in fact, the personnel he was referring to was killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in 2022 .
In a similarly vile attempt to mislead the Centre and the people, the World Kuki Zo Intellectual Council had written to Home Minister stating two personnel of the 21 AR had been killed at Molnoi, Pallel, Biswanath said.
"India was built on the idea that Truth Always Triumphs.
They [Kuki leaders] should never forget that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had pointed out infiltration of illegal immigrants from Myanmar into Manipur as one of the reasons for the present crisis in Manipur in the monsoon session of the Parliament," he said.
Meanwhile, he said the AAP supports the 'Youths of Manipur' in all its democratic endeavours to protect Manipur.