IMPHAL/UKHRUL, SEP 26: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Okram Ibobi Singh has questioned the state government’s handling of the deteriorating law and order situation, particularly the security of civilians in the hill areas amid recent incidents of violence and killings.
Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhawan in Imphal on Saturday, Ibobi said the law and order situation in Manipur has remained a serious concern since 2017, with violence and tensions continuing to affect people across both the hills and valley.
He questioned how long civilians would be expected to live without a sense of safety and security, citing the recurring incidents of killings in different parts of the state.
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Ibobi condemned the killing of civilians and said violence among communities living together in Manipur cannot be allowed to continue. He said the repeated incidents raise serious concerns about the future of the state and the government’s ability to maintain security.
Referring to the period from August 31 to September 26, Ibobi said reports of killings and clashes had continued to emerge almost every day. He also pointed to recent reports of violence involving Kuki and Naga groups, questioning the effectiveness of the government’s existing security measures in the hill areas.
He questioned the government’s response following such incidents, saying that while cases are condemned and sometimes handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), it remains unclear what concrete steps are being taken to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
“Where is the law and order situation heading?” Ibobi questioned, while also asking where a lasting solution to the prolonged crisis could be found. He alleged that the government appeared to be focusing more on issuing statements than taking effective measures on the ground.
On reports of involvement of foreign elements, Ibobi said that if external forces were found to be involved in the violence, the Centre should take appropriate and decisive action.
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He also raised questions over the deployment and role of central security forces in the hill areas. Referring to the deployment of CRPF CoBRA personnel, he questioned where the personnel had been stationed and what specific role they were expected to perform amid the prevailing security situation.
Ibobi also referred to earlier operations by central forces against militant groups along the Myanmar border and questioned the response to the killing of civilians in border areas and other violence-affected locations. He maintained that state forces could control the situation in affected areas if they were provided with the necessary authority and support.
The Congress leader further questioned whether the Central Government had a specific agenda behind the ongoing developments in Manipur and called for clarity on the Centre’s approach towards restoring peace and ensuring the security of civilians in both the hill and valley areas.
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