Don't play innocent : Joy to Biren
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 22 2024: Veteran politician and former Minister Okram Joy has asked Chief Minister N Biren to stop blaming Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh for the protracted violence.

Speaking to media persons at his Kakwa residence today, O Joy said that the State has fallen into complete chaos with its economy badly plagued and the law and order breaking down completely.

During a meeting held on January 6 which was attended by BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sharda Devi, Union Minister of State RK Ranjan, Ministers and MLAs of the State, A Sharda Devi claimed that the Manipur crisis could not be resolved because Kuldiep Singh is the Security Advisor of the Unified Command.

On the other hand, there was no instance of BJP Manipur Pradesh ever asking the Central leaders to remove Kuldiep Singh from the Unified Command, Joy said.

Till May 30, 2023, Chief Minister N Biren was the Chairman of the Unified Command.

As the State Government did not take up any concrete action to contain the violence even though the Chief Minister was the chairman of the Unified Command, Kuldiep Singh was appointed as the Security Advisor on May 31 .

Kuldiep Singh is not the head of State nor did he snatch the post of Security Advisor, Joy said.

He said that Kuldiep Singh was requisitioned to assist the State Government in tackling the crisis.

Even though the leadership of the Unified Command was given to Kuldiep Singh, Chief Minister N Biren who is in charge of the Home Department can convene Unified Command meetings at any time, said the veteran politician.

He then asked how many times had the Chief Minister convened Unified Command meetings since the violent crisis erupted.

Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh is working under the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers.

It is the duty of the State Government to monitor the activities of the Security Advisor, Joy said.

It is a matter of shame that Education Minister Th Basantakumar too claimed the widespread violence could not be contained because Kuldiep Singh remains the Security Advisor.

It would be wrong to blame the Security Advisor for the worsening violent crisis even though there are lapses and lacunaes on the part of Kuldiep Singh.

Questioning why the BJP Government has been protecting the 10 Kuki MLAs for so long even though they have been campaigning to disintegrate Manipur, the veteran politician accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of patronising the Kuki MLAs.

The duties and powers of N Biren as a Chief Minister are laid down lucidly in the Indian Constitution.

The Chief Minister has authority to take up action against the 10 Kuki MLAs, Joy said.

He went on to ask why the Chief Minister is still reluctant to take up action against the Kuki MLAs who are responsible for the large-scale violence.

The widespread violence seen today in Manipur is an open act of war aimed at eliminating the entire Meitei population.

The situation demands the Chief Minister and the Ministers to face the challenge boldly in order to protect Manipur and save Meiteis.

He also urged the State Government to come out with an unambiguous clarification whether Article 355 has been invoked in Manipur or not.

Former MLA RK Anand said that the Security Advisor was appointed in accordance with a decision adopted by the State Cabinet.

Former Minister L Jayantakumar was also present at the press meet.

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