Centre, state misreading menace of Kuki militants: Joykumar
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 09 2024: Former deputy chief minister and National People's Party (NPP) national vice-president, Yumnam Joykumar has raised concerns over the escalation of ethnic conflict in the state, particularly in the aftermath of a recent heinous murder in Jiribam and subsequent arson activities.

Joykumar, also a former DGP, expressed dismay over alleged inaction by both the Centre and the state government in addressing the longstanding crisis involving Kuki armed groups.

Addressing the media at the NPP Manipur Office on Sunday, Joykumar criticised the lack of decisive action against militant groups, stating that simply deploying additional security forces would not suffice.

He urged chief minister Biren, who is currently in Delhi, to enquire about any potential hidden agendas behind the crisis.

Joykumar raised suspicions about restraining central security forces and preventing them from actively engaging the militant groups, along with hinting at possibility of a hidden agenda.

He also alluded to allegations of central forces aiding Myanmar's CDF and PDF, a matter that became a common public knowledge today, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability.

Drawing attention to the alleged nexus between these entities, he questioned the motive behind the government's reluctance to take decisive action against those abetting cross-border militancy.

Expressing grave concern over the potential consequences of continued inaction, Joykumar cautioned that unless the situation is addressed promptly, more and more miffed youths from the valley area might resort to taking up arms and Seeking assistance from external sources, such as China.

He emphasised the immediate need for the government to appoint retired security experts to lead a dedicated team in orchestrating a comprehensive crackdown on the insurgent groups.

Stressing the urgency of such a measure, he warned against procrastination, emphasising that delaying action could lead to dire consequences, potentially resulting in further destabilisation of the state.

He highlighted the plight of the people, particularly those displaced and languishing in relief camps, underscoring the government's responsibility to address their suffering and alleviate their plight.

Drawing attention to the recent developments in Jiribam, Joykumar underscored the ominous signs of Kuki militant groups' attempts to seize control of the district.

He pointed out the distinctive nature of their strategy, noting that capturing Jiribam would effectively sever the lifeline of the state.

Joykumar stressed on the gravity of the situation, emphasising that allowing Jiribam to fall under the sway of Kuki insurgents would have far-reaching repercussions, profoundly impacting both the state and its populace.

He called upon the government to prioritise this critical issue and take decisive action to safeguard the interests of Manipur and its people.

Joykumar asserted that mere replacements of SP and deployment of some commando teams would be insufficient to quell the escalating violence in Jiribam.

Drawing from his experience as the Director General of Police (DGP), he elucidated the rationale behind the formation of Commando units within the state police and their operational methodologies.

He observed a notable disparity in the courage and determination between the earlier batch of commandos and the current CDOs.

He suggested that relying on Central forces would be inadequate, as they are unlikely to assume a proactive role.

He also cited a past instance wherein state police successfully prevented NSCN-IM leader Muivah from entering the state, even in defiance of Central government's directives, and without the assistance of Central security forces.

In the light of the escalating violence in Jiribam, Joykumar advocated for reinforcement of commando personnel in the district, utilising large transport helicopters of the Indian Army.

He stressed the urgency of the situation, urging the state government to refrain from remaining passive spectators and to take decisive action in the best interests of the people.

Joykumar implored the Chief Minister to promptly engage with the Ministry of Home Affairs to initiate discussions on the prevailing crisis and formulate an immediate course of action to, address the pressing concerns facing the state.

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