IMPHAL: The Congress party asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally take responsibility for the current crisis in Manipur. The request came following the Centre's move to declare President's Rule in the troubled state after the Centre acknowledged the worsening ground situation.
The imposition of President's Rule on Thursday evening brought an end to Nongthombam Biren Singh's second term as Chief Minister, following 21 months of ethnic unrest. The state has been grappling with unrest, mainly between the non-tribal Meitei and tribal Kuki-Zo communities.
Manipur Congress President Keisham Meghachandra credited the Centre's decision to the deteriorating law-and-order situation and the inability of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to seal a consensus candidate for the Chief Minister's position. According to him, the long-enduring agony of the people due to the record violence had eventually compelled the Centre to take the step.
Meghachandra additionally underscored the need for Prime Minister Modi to assert himself by going to Manipur and speaking directly to the crisis while keeping the territorial integrity of the state intact. The BJP, however, played down the reports of internal strife.
Sambit Patra, the party's northeast affairs in-charge, rubbished reports of dissension within the party and promised that the state Assembly, which is in suspended animation, could be restored depending on the changing situation.
He reiterated the BJP's resolve to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur. State BJP leaders, however, admitted that reconciliation between the feuding communities is still essential for any durable solution.
While Meitei-majority Imphal Valley social organizations have reacted against the step, Kuki-Zo communities have supported it as a better alternative to a new Chief Minister from the Meitei group. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, an influential body, opposed the decision and termed it as a political action to place the blame at the door of state BJP leadership instead of attending to the underlying causes of the agitations.
At the same time, Ginza Vualzong, Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum spokesperson, hoped the President's Rule would provide a favorable atmosphere for an end to violence and the beginning of sincere political talks. During the political turmoil, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who had stepped down five days before the President's Rule was declared, expressed fear about the demographic and security risks of illegal immigration from Myanmar.
He cautioned that Manipur's 398 km open border with Myanmar, in conjunction with the Free Movement Regime, was changing the state's demographic profile. He vowed to continue his struggle to safeguard the identity and resources of the indigenous people of Manipur. At the same time, security personnel have stepped up efforts to stop violence and extremism in the state.
During a recent crackdown, state police arrested five people who were spotted in a viral video playing soccer with assault rifles in their hands, reflecting the lawlessness that continues to haunt Manipur.
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