NPP reminds CM of his Kargil Diwas speech
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 06 2023: Recounting Chief Minister N Biren's speech during observance of Kargil Diwas on July 26 wherein he stated that he was being patient in respect of years of co-existence but vowed to restore law and order in Churachandpur, Tengnoupal and Kangpokpi districts to remind all rioters that the three are districts of Manipur, if the other side becomes excessive; National People's Party (NPP) general secretary (organisation) RK Rameshwar has asked the CM when does he plan to put his declaration into action.

Addressing a press meet at Ghari on Monday, Ra meshwar said that the six-month long violence has affected every single person in the state.

Many people, from the young to the old are suffering from mental stress.

As such, time has come to put an end to the conflict either though talks or firm security action, to restore peace in Manipur.

It is unclear to the people which policy the government is implementing to curb the violence, while the Meeteis are being cornered into the valley and no longer able to move forward from Pallel, Keithelmanbi, Sekmai and Kangvai, despite being in their own state and land, he remarked.

The general secretary continued that the two national highways (Imphal-Jiri and Imphal-Dimapur routes) are being blocked while the few vehicles passing through are driven by non-Meeteis.

No passenger bus services have been operated along the highways for the past six months, which has severely impact ed the low-income families in the valley area.

He questioned the non-deployment of more security forces in the sensitive zones along Imphal Jiri route even if the Imphal-Dimapur route is non-operational.

The inability of the double engine BJP government to re-establish the road connectivity between Manipur and other states is unfortunate, he lamented.

While appreciating the deployment of additional state forces in Moreh following the killing of SDPO Moreh Ch Anand, Rameshwar said that Moreh is an important place, serving as the gateway for Southeast Asian countries.

As such, the state government needs to restore peace in Manipur and reaffirm the importance of the business hub, which will be of huge benefit to the economy of the state.

He further called for withdrawal of SoO agreement with Kuki militants since they have attacked the state police and even killed one office, which is a total violation of SoO ground rules.

Although the state government had decided to withdraw the agreement, the opinion of the Ministry of Home Affairs on the matter is unknown, allowing the agreement to stay in effect till date.

As the central government has already acknowledged involvement of outside forces in the conflict, both the central and state governments need to take concrete steps to restore peace in the state at the earliest, Rameshwar asserted.

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