NPP notes initiatives of Governor
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 08 2025: Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla taking up positive and proactive steps shortly after assuming office is appreciable, said National People's Party vice president and former Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar today.

He said this while speaking to media persons at the office of the NPP at Naoremthong, Imphal.

The former Deputy Chief Minister said Manipur getting Ajay Kumar Bhalla, India's former Home Secretary as Governor is fortunate.

The Governor shortly after assuming office chaired a meeting with security officers in the Unified Command.

This was a much needed step amid the current situation in the State, he said.

NPP notes initiatives of Governor

Joykumar, however, asserted there is still confusion pertaining to the chair of the Unified Command and whether Article 355 has been enforced in the State.

It is not known if the Chief Minister who is also holding the post of the State Home Minister is the head of the Unified Command or Security Advisor Kuldeip Singh is, he added.

While the Chief Minister has recently stated that he has no authority in the Unified Command, the new Governor, after assuming office, chaired a meeting which was seemingly a meeting of the Unified Command attended by security officers in the Command, he said.

"The Chief Minister has not called a single meeting of the Unified Command related to the Manipur crisis.

When the Chief Minister of the State has failed to call the meeting, the Governor convened the seemingly Unified Command meeting which minutely discussed the Manipur situation.

The Governor is a person who has been India's Home Secretary.

He is believed to take up some positive steps to resolve the crisis," Joykumar said.

Further, regarding the Kangpokpi Highway blockade and attack which hurt the district's SP, the Governor acted promptly to establish rule of law, end the blockade and take action against persons responsible for the attack on the police officer, Joykumar said.

Moreover, the Governor, in his effort to establish rule of law and bring peace, visited Churachandpur and Moirang yesterday.

"In a very short period after taking office, the Governor has taken scores of actions to restore normalcy.

If the Chief Minister had taken such steps early in the crisis, the problems facing the State today could have been avoided," Joykumar said.

The new Governor, he said, has sent a strong message to both Meiteis and Kukis to establish rule of law, he added.

The NPP will seek an appointment with the Governor soon and apprised him to resolve the crisis and bring peace, Joykumar said.

The party will share suggestions to the Governor and support every effort to resolve the crisis, he added.

Meanwhile, in every turn the State Government seems to be watching, unable to take any actions.

When weapons were looted by Meiteis and Kukis from police stations, it did not take any action.

No police officers have been held accountable.

Had it happened with the Army, all the officers in-charge would have been suspended, Joykumar said.

There are more than 200 companies of Central security forces in Manipur, but most of them have remained as spectators without taking actions to control the crisis.

It is not clear whether the Centre or the State is responsible for giving them orders to perform their duties effectively, he said.

The new Governor, Ajay Kumar Bhalla is expected to act with accountability and to take up sincere efforts to resolve the crisis, he added.

When enquired about NPP MLAs still supporting BJP in Manipur even after party's president Conrad Sangma's decision to pull out support, Joykumar said the party may take action against the MLAs at an appropriate time.

"They are acting against the decision taken by the party president.

The party may take action against them when necessary," Joykumar said.

Several NPP leaders were present in the press meet.