 |
|
The escalating violence in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur has reached a critical juncture, prompting the state government to demand control over the Home Ministry-run Unified Command. Chief Minister N Biren Singh, accompanied by 18 MLAs, met with Governor L Acharya on Sunday morning to present a list of demands aimed at addressing the deteriorating security situation. The situation has sparked speculation of a rift within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and potential leadership changes in Manipur.
The list of demands reportedly includes a call for the central government to relinquish control of the Unified Command, which currently oversees security operations in Manipur. The Unified Command is comprised of Union Home Ministry officials, the state security adviser, and the Army. Additionally, the state government seeks to scrap the Suspension of Operations agreement between the government and Kuki insurgent groups. An all-party meeting held in January had already voiced a desire to terminate the agreement to enable security forces to launch a full-scale operation against insurgents.
The escalating violence has been further underscored by a recent incident involving Kuki militants who deployed long-range rockets at two locations in civilian areas. This attack tragically resulted in the death of a 78-year-old man, RK Rabei, and injured six others in Bishnupur. Earlier this week, BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh, the son-in-law of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah expressing his dissatisfaction with the performance of the central forces deployed in the state. He labeled them 'mute spectators' and argued that the presence of roughly 60,000 central forces had failed to restore peace.
Manipur Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh described the situation as dire, stating that the state government's authority has been significantly diminished by the central government's actions. He pointed to the use of sophisticated weapons and bombings in recent attacks, highlighting the severity of the violence. Singh questioned the effectiveness of the Central government's efforts to combat the situation, suggesting that their actions may be contributing to the ongoing violence.
The demand for control over the Unified Command by the Manipur government underscores the growing frustration and distrust towards the central government's handling of the crisis. The call to scrap the Suspension of Operations agreement and the criticism directed at the central forces further emphasize the need for a comprehensive and effective approach to restoring peace and security in Manipur. The situation remains tense, with the future of the state's governance and the fate of its people hanging in the balance.
Source: Manipur govt seeks control of Unified Command amid fresh violence in state