Centre dilly-dallying, waiting for more deaths: Shiv Sena
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 15 2023: Even as the unrest situation in Manipur has become a global issue, the central government is continuing to feign silence and dilly-dallying, while waiting for more people to die.

In addition, the remaining MLAs, who have not signed the memorandum submitted by the 31 MLAs for withdrawal of SoO agreement from Manipur, must clarify the reasons thereof to the people, Shiv Sena Manipur State Unit president M Tombi has demanded.

Addressing a press meet held at its Babupara office on Saturday, Tombi pointed out that a red alert was sounded in the nation's capital as the violence in Manipur completed 72 days, becoming a national issue.

While claiming that the Manipur Governor had also stated that the violence is being perpetrated with the involvement of Kuki militants from Myanmar, he regretted that the union home minister is yet to respond to the questions raised by the people of the Manipur, while the Prime Minister continues to maintain his stoic silence till date.

Mentioning that farmers in peripheral areas have been compelled to carry out farming activities amid the dangers and fear that the crops could be set on fire, Tombi raised concerns of possible suicidal thoughts amongst the farmers if the fears were to become a reality.

He then questioned why the Assam Rifles are just standing by and watching the Kuki militants built bunkers atop the hills and attacking civilians.

He continued that even if the government does not withdraw SoO, the Indian Constitution has given the provision of arresting the militants under SoO if they are found to have committed wrongful acts.

While the state government, which is the host of the tripartite agreement, has already withdrawn from the same, it is questionable why the central government is still upholding the agreement.

Thus, he urged the union home minister to clearly state the reason for non withdrawal instead of waiting for more people to die.

Tombi then said that further prolonging the violence will only lead to the end of both Kuki and Meiteis and an unfavorable result.

The compensation of Rs 10 lakh cannot revive the dead.

The need of the hour is to determine the type and gist of the violence raging in the state.

Appreciating the 31 MLAs who submitted a memorandum to the centre for withdrawal of SoO, the Shiv Sena president informed that Manipur Democratic Alliance will soon submit a similar memorandum.

However, he expressed disbelief that any response to the same would be provided.

Also questioning why the 50,000 central forces deployed in the state are unable to maintain law and order in the hills, Tombi further remarked that children are being deprived of their education due to the violence.

He then urged both the ruling and the previous governments to stop playing the blame game for gaining political mileage, while adding that the need of the hour is to restore peace and normalcy in the state.

The president also stated that the Meiteis are one of the indigenous communities of the state, which is an irrefutable fact.

Meiteis have the right to demand for ST status in this regard and no one has the right or business to object to the same.

The assumptions that by burning down homes of indigenous people, one can take over the indigenous lands are not only unfeasible but not good in any aspect.

Thus, such acts must be stopped immediately, he remarked.

Furthermore, around 92 percent of Manipur is hill area.

The violence escalated to the present point because the Kuki militants were given free rein in the said area.

CM N Biren's measures to protect the forests are meant for the future generations, which also include the Kukis and not just the Meiteis.

This fact should be clearly understood by all concerned, he stressed.

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