Ex-Dy CM advises Kuki MLAs not to aggravate situation
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 05 2023: Coming down hard on the 10 Kuki MLAs for their inflammatory statement and unfounded accusation against Manipur police, NPP national vice-president Y Joykumar has advised the Kuki MLAs not to do anything to aggravate the situation in the state.

Addressing a press conference at the party's office on Sunday, the former deputy chief minister and former DGP of Manipur called the joint statement of the 10 Kuki MLAs as irresponsible and unbecoming of public representatives.

It is rather surprising of MLA LM Khaute, who had remained as Manipur DGP, to append his signature on the joint statement.

He asked the ministers and MLAs to resign from their posts if they are not happy with the government instead of enjoying the perks and benefits provided by the government while indulging in anti-government activities at the same time.

He said that IGAR (South) himself has refuted the allegations levelled by the 10 Kuki MLAs and Kuki organisations about excesses committed by police stating that the operation is being carried out jointly by central and state security forces, and there were no such instances of atrocities on civilians.

The General officer had also stated his stance that the operation will continue until the militants involved in the assassination of the MPS officer are arrested, he noted.

Stating that elected public representatives have major role in resolving the crisis and restoring peace, Joykumar urged the 10 Kuki MLAs to play their part in bringing a solution but not to instigate the public by making inflammatory remarks and raising unfounded accusations.

Instead of acting like responsible public representatives, they are demanding separate administration and spreading false narratives.

If they are true to their stand, they should resign from the government and the non BJP MLAs should also withdraw their support from the government instead of playing double standard games of politics, he said.

The former DGP hailed the initiative of the state government in ordering a joint operation in Moreh in the aftermath of the assassination of SDPO Ch Anand Kumar by Kuki sniper.

Among all the 10 Kuki MLAs, LM Khaute should have at least expected such an operation after the assassination of a police officer.

As a person, who had remained head of the state police force, LM Khaute should not make such irresponsible statement of showing the state police as biased or a police force of a single community, he said.

Joykumar further said that after he joined the state police from BSF, he groomed up a highly disciplined and effective police force capable of countering armed militants.

During that time, the state police force had several fierce encounters with valley-based UG groups.

Police officers and personnel from all communities were involved in those operations and nobody raised such communal allegations against the police back then.

The ongoing conflict in the state has crossed six months.

There are reports of one kg of rice costing Rs 200 in Churachandpur.

Nobody is winning from this conflict as it only affects the people of both communities.

Since it is the common people who have been suffering from the conflict, the MLAs are not worried about their situation.

They should not instigate the common people while sitting in comfort of their luxurious accommodations and eating the foods ordered from Guwahati or Delhi, Joykumar maintained.

He further urged the 10 Kuki MLAs to contribute their mite in resolving the crisis so as to restore peace and normalcy and expressed belief that once they make a stand to ensure peace and normalcy by allowing safe harvest of paddy in the foothill areas, Meeteis will respond in a similar manner and walk the path of reconciliation.

It has been long since the state is facing the crisis and it is high time to bring a solution and restore peace, something which will require initiative from both sides, he said.

Ex-MLA S Subhaschandra, NPP state general secretary organisation RK Rameshwar, vice-president U Ramesh, party leader L Jayananda and others also attended the press conference.

A two-minute silence was also observed in honour of late SDPO Chingtham Anand Kumar.

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