Manipur Chief Secretary Appeals MHA to Remove NSCN (IM) Camps from State

Guwahati:

Manipur Chief Secretary J. Suresh Babu, writing to the Union Home Ministry, has sought for the removal the camps of the Isaak-Muivah faction of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (or NSCN-IM).

The Manipur Chief Secretary in a letter to Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Union Home Secretary of the MHA, stated that the unauthorised camps of the NSCN-IM located in Manipur has become a "subject of social tensions" in the state of Manipur.

Suresh Babu also said that a large number of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have been "openly invited" to these camps and these videos have been put up on social media, "causing criticism from the public and also causing embarrassment to the State Government. "Many valley based CSOs are raising open objection against the open and illegal activities of the NSCN (IM) and the State Government is seriously concerned about it", the Chief Secretary further said.

He further pointed out that although the Cease Fire Agreement with the Centre does not extend to the State of Manipur, these camps exist in the jurisdiction of the state under the name to Taken Note of Camps.

The Manipur Government, he added, has raised objections on many occasions on many occasions for allowing such unauthorized camps, adding that "the central security forces which are overseeing these camps also failed to restrain them from illegal activities".

"I am directed to request the Ministry of Home Affiairs to take serious note of this and direct the Army and Assam Rifles to control the activities of the NSCN (IM) and also prevent public and civil society organizations from visiting these camps", the Chieff Secretary further added.