Suspects Identified in Looting of Manipur Ministers’, MLAs’ Properties: CM Biren Singh
Imphal, Nov 22 (PTI): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Friday that people who looted properties of ministers and legislators during the protest held on November 16 have been identified and legal cases have been filed against them.
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Singh was condemning at the press conference such violent acts perpetrated in the locality, which also included torching a photograph of the late father of a minister, loot of MLA’s residence, and firing inside a car showroom. He expressed dismay as he could not even think that such activities are a part of democratic movement.
“In the name of a democratic movement, some groups have resorted to looting and arson, targeting the residences of ministers and MLAs. Through CCTV footage, suspects have been identified and appropriate legal actions are already underway. It is rather shameful for me to admit this before the public that such incidents are taking place in Manipur,” Singh said.
Public Responsibility Call
The Chief Minister appealed to the public to abstain from acts that make it necessary to impose bans on such internet suspensions. “People should not put all the blame on the government. We must introspect and correct ourselves,” he urged.
Singh explains that the government does not have problems with the real protests, particularly those protesting the killing of women and children in Jiribam district. However, he emphasizes the point that there has to be a differentiation between the real protestors and the ones with political reasons.
“To such politically motivated groups who have exploited their own situation for the wrong benefits, the law will take care of them also,” Singh said.
Security Measures and Jiribam Incident Response
Talking about the flare up of recent violence in Jiribam district, Chief Minister spoke about the decisive actions of CRPF. He said had the Central Reserve Police Force not intervened and eliminated 10 or 11 militants on November 11, the consequences could have been much worse, killing as many as 100 people among the commoners.
According to him, the “attackers were trying to overrun a relief camp in Borobekra and a police station. The measures taken by forces of center should be appreciated,” Singh said.
The Chief Minister further assured that the internet curbs implemented to check the spread of the false and inciting information shall be lifted once the situation remains stable. “Operations are still on for arresting the perpetrators. Even though it has been taken over by NIA over the case of killings, the state government is also working to bring out justice. It’s our priority to protect the lives and properties of the civilians,” he said.
New Wave of Protests in Manipur
A new wave of protests has swept across Manipur over alleged disappearance of six people including three Meitei women and three children who went missing from a displaced persons camp in Jiribam last week. This incident comes even after a gunfight broke out between security forces and armed men in which 10 Kuki youths reportedly died.
The ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the hill-based Kuki-Zo groups has claimed more than 220 lives since last May and displaced thousands more. The clashes have put the state in turmoil, with numerous calls for peace and resolution.
Criticism of Congress Leader P Chidambaram
Singh further criticized, during the media conference, that senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, advocated through social media post on X for region autonomy in Manipur which he also had to take back. Singh dismissed Chidambaram’s remarks by saying that such suggestions may be fuel to add more fire to the problems of the state.
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As Rahul Gandhi Attack on Adani Group
The Chief Minister also reacted to the call given by Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader, following complaints of fraud and bribery charges against the Adani Group in the United States, for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrest industrialist Gautam Adani. Singh dismissed the accusations as baseless and alleged that the U.S. was attempting to undermine India’s progress.
India is not liable to take action based on hearsay by foreign powers. The allegations are baseless, and we mustn’t let external factors dictate how we function, Singh says.
Conclusion
The political and social unrest in Manipur continues to pose a challenge for the state government. While identification and prosecution proved to be a way of bringing the perpetrators of violent activities to accountability, the root cause of ethnic conflict and mutual suspicion between communities is not yet solved. That Chief Ministerly called for public responsibility together with promises of justice and security points out how important cooperation is between all those who have to work toward securing peace and stability in the region.
In any case, recovery for Manipur will largely depend on both short-term security issues and deeply rooted causes that have instigated the persisting struggle. Meanwhile, the state waits with bated breath as work for justice and order continues.