Newmai News Network
Imphal: Manipur chief minister N Biren informed today that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested 4 persons from Henglep in Churachandpur district in connection with the “brutal” killing of two students-Phijam Hemajit and Hijam Linthoingambi. The arrested persons have been identified as Paominlun Haokip, S Malsawn Haokip, Lhingneichong Baite and Tinnuphing.
Biren then lauded the swift action taken by the CBI team including the Army, Paramilitary forces and the state police and arresting the suspected culprits involved in the heinous crime in a short period of time. He reiterated the firm stance of the state government to make sure that the culprits are given stringent punishment as per the law.
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Biren Singh also maintained that the current crisis in Manipur is not a clash between ethnic groups and not a law-and-order issue of the state, but purely a war against the Indian Union by Myanmar and Bangladesh-based Kuki militants in collaboration with militant groups operating in Manipur.
The chief minister was briefing the media at the chief minister’s secretariat this evening continuing that the current crisis was instigated by a group of people who want to disintegrate the state, but shown as an ethnic or communal clash, or religion-based, or between majority and minority. However, with the voice of people, the real cause has come up, he added.
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Recalling the statement made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament and by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Manipur violence and more importantly the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) statement on the arrest of Seiminlun Gangte, the chief minister spoke about the clear cause of the crisis. He continued that as the issue is war against the Indian Union, the central government will further take up necessary measures to tackle it.
Raising concern about the disturbance caused to state police personnel by the public for their act of mob control, the chief minister reminded that state forces including Manipur police, IRB and Manipur Rifles were the ones fighting on the frontline against armed miscreants in the periphery areas. There was the loss of lives of personnel of state forces and many got injured, he stated, appealing to the public not to have a negative view of state forces.
N Biren further appealed to the public to obey the rule of law by seeking permission from concerned deputy commissioners while carrying out protests and rallies. He continued that misunderstandings and confrontations between protesters and security forces could be avoided, “if we follow the rules”.
