Law minister assures to look into Manipur crisis
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 21 2023:
Union Law and Justice Minister of India, Arjun Ram Meghwal, has reportedly assured to look into the prevailing law and order situation in strife-torn Manipur.
According to RPI-A national secretary Maheshwar Thounaojam, he met the law minister on Wednesday and apprised the latter on fluid law and order situation in Manipur, especially with Kuki militants persistently provoking Meeteis in the foothill areas using sophisticated arms.
Maheshwar told The People's Chronicle over the phone that during the meeting, he told the union minister about the persistent attacks by Kuki militants on Meetei villages in the foothill areas and how the Kuki inhabited hill districts of the state have descended into a state of lawlessness due to the illegal activities of the Kuki militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement.
He also revealed to the union minister about involvement of armed illegal immigrants in the present crisis in the state by using sophisticated weapons including bombs.
As a result, Meetei civilians in the peripheral villages are spending sleepless nights and they living in an uncertain condition since the crisis began in May.
Moreover, several families of many of the foothill villages are staying in relief camps out of fear of their lives, he said and urged the minister to look into the situation.
He also proposed to the union minister to flush out the armed illegal immigrants and to ensure rule of law in the hill districts.
In response, the minister told him that he is closely monitoring the situation in the state and assured to do the needful for early resolution to the crisis.
In his Twitter posts, Maheshwar, said, "I have stated that in the Valley, the citizens are mostly law-abiding citizens and if there is even a small agitation or rally, the law enforcement agencies are ready to control it and have been controlling to date.
I also narrated to him how it all started".
The Imphal-based political activist further tweeted, "But in the Kuki dominated areas, both in the periphery and hills, they have been controlling everything.
The Kuki militants under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the Union government are doing whatever they want.
They are firing whenever they want.
They are targeting the valley people whenever they wish, blocking highways whenever they wish.
So, what does it signify? There have been continuous attacks".
In this connection, Maheshwar urged the Union minister to look into the matter and help revoke the SoO agreement with the Kuki militants.
He also requested the Union Minister to intervene regarding this and to show that no one is above the law.