'Govt should take voice of people as voice of God'
Source: Chronicle News Service / Thounaojam Brojendro

Imphal, September 23 2023: As the Kuki people, who have settled lately in the state and substantial number of them are refugees, are waging a war against the indigenous Meeteis demanding a separate Kuki state, people are raising their voices against the aggression, and these voices of the people should be considered as the voice of the God by the government, said Naoshekpam Kala, an 89-year-old retired officer.

A resident of Uripok Bachaspati Leikai, Kala retired as additional director of Manipur Health Services, and he is fond of painting and music since his early days.

During a talk with The People's Chronicle, Kala poured out his hearts on the current situation of the state.

He likens the Kuki aggression to an act of vacating the owner by intruders.

In such a situation, the government's plan to initiate peace dialogue would not be an easy one since the aggressors are adamant on getting something out of the situation and initiating peace dialogue without granting their wish could be futile.

Considering the complex factors behind the present crisis and hurdles in the peace process, he said that the government needs a sincere approach to identify and deport illegal immigrants including their leaders, which he called a Trojan horse, and added that such initiatives from the government would create a conducive environment for initiating peace process.

Kala further said that he always believes in the motto of Truth Always Triumph, which is also the slogan of the Constitution of India as Satyameva Jayate in the words of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya.

Meetei will triumph at the end of this crisis, which was triggered by Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists, he said and urged the government to root out the narco-terrorists from the soil of the state so that people of all communities including the bonafide Kukis could live together peacefully.

He also delved on the attitude of the Central government in handling the current crisis opining that is lack of sincerity on the part of the Centre.

As a result, people are raising questions on the conduct of Assam Rifles and how a security agency, which does not have any love for the Meetei community would protect the territoiy of the state, he said.

The retired officer also enquired if the large number of central security forces sent by the Central government are here to watch the whole crisis silently if they are not given permission to use force.

Further stating that illegal poppy cultivation became public knowledge only recently though the practice has for several years, he cautioned that drug money from such illegal activities are being used to disintegrate the state, including accumulation of illegal arms and ammunition.

Paying bribes to many high profile people to ignore their illegal activities is also a high probability and that must be the reason why the government set up buffer zones between hill and valley, a structure that could be seen only during war time, he pointed out.

Kala also said that Manipur can never be torn apart since the valley cannot survive without the hills or vice-versa.

The state is like a beautiful garden of diversity composed by people of around 35 recognised communities.

Every rightful citizen of the state should think of ensuring unity and integrity of Manipur as their foremost priority.

The government should also be sincere in bridging the gaps by removing hurdles and roadblocks, he emphasised.

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