Imphal/Guwahati: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh Sunday criticised the central security forces, saying that they had been deployed in the state “to protect people, not to watch”.
Addressing a gathering as part of Manipur’s 52nd Statehood Day celebrations, he said: “Central security forces, you are not invited here to observe, or see what is happening…You are invited here to protect the state’s integrity, the lives and properties of innocent people, not to watch.”
He added: “Kya samajhta hai? Kya khelta hai…Ek ek aadmi ka zindagi ka bohot keemat hai…koi khel mein fasne wala hum nahin hai…We will take our own decision (What do you think? What is this game? Every human being’s life is very valuable. We will not get caught in any game).”
He was apparently hinting at the latest incidents of violence this month in which at least eight civilians lost their lives — at Haotak Phailen near Churachandpur and Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou in Bishnupur district. Manipur has been in the throes of ethnic violence since May last year.
This comes at a time when the CM, according to government sources, is dwelling on the possibility of resigning from his post. Speaking to media persons at the Sunday’s programme, Singh, when asked about speculation over his possible resignation, said: “This is speculation, we are not taking any decision now”.
“We have to take a concrete decision, so that people can be protected. We cannot compromise everything. To whom will we hand over the administration? We have to think that as well. People have suffered. In this matter, there should be no politics,” he further said.
There are reportedly 60,000-70,000 central security troops deployed in Manipur at present, including the Army, and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) comprising the paramilitary forces of Assam Rifles and the Border Security Force among others.
At Sunday’s programme, the CM urged the central forces to “concentrate seriously on their primary duty of protecting lives and keeping the state and national integrity intact”.
He further said that the state has “arrested, booked, and penetrated the enemy zone”, referring to the arrests of two Kuki-Zo men, believed to be among the main suspects in the killing of Moreh sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Chingtham Anand Kumar on 31 October last year.
“Targeting civilians is a cowardly act,” he added.
Also Read: After fresh violence in Manipur’s Moreh, CM Biren Singh points to Myanmar’s Kuki insurgents
Speculations again on CM’s resignation
A day earlier, the CM along with his cabinet colleagues and state legislators convened a special meeting at the secretariat to discuss the prevailing law and order situation.
Government sources told ThePrint that at the meeting, it was decided that the deteriorating law and order situation in Manipur would be taken up with the central government. Sources further said that Biren Singh was dwelling upon the possibility of resigning as CM if “pressing issues” are not addressed, but did not elaborate on what these issues are.
There was speculation of Biren Singh resigning last June too. However, photos of a torn resignation letter were then flashed across news channels with reports suggesting a last-minute change in decision. Hours later, the CM too posted on X that he would not be giving up the post.
The CM held extensive deliberations with as many as 32 legislators for more than five hours Saturday, and another such meeting took place Sunday.
Arambai Tenggol summons all Meitei MLAs
Meanwhile, Arambai Tenggol, an armed Meitei socio-cultural organisation in Manipur, has called for a meeting of all Meitei MLAs Wednesday. The invites, sent Saturday, asked the MLAs to assemble in front of the Kangla Uttara inside the Kangla Fort — to take a final decision to safeguard the Meitei community.
The invite, seen by ThePrint, also states that those who fail to turn up will be labelled “enemy of Meitei”.
Moreover, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a Meitei civil society organisation, has warned of a massive agitation if the state government does not come up with tangible actions “in line with people’s wishes within 2-3 days”.
A COCOMI team visited the CM Friday afternoon to discuss the current situation of Manipur.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)