Imphal: “Is the Kuki-Zo community above the government?” Imagi Meira, a women body, questioned after meeting with Manipur security advisor Kuldiep Singh, here on Wednesday over the issue of jawans prohibiting a state bus, ferrying journalists, to proceed to Ukhrul to cover the Shirui festival.
The convenor of the women’s organisation briefed the media, quoting Kuldiep Singh as saying that the decision to suspend Manipur State Transport (MST) was taken by higher state authorities. He reportedly cited a March 8 incident in which an MST bus was attacked by a mob in Kangpokpi district as justification for the precautionary directive.
The convenor questioned the rationale behind the security measures, asking, “If one MST bus was attacked in Kangpokpi, why weren’t adequate security arrangements made along the Imphal-Ukhrul route to protect the bus? Is the Kuki-Zo community above the government?”
“If such a minor issue cannot be addressed, what is the point of imposing President’s Rule? The security advisor’s explanation is unreasonable.”
She also questioned the role of Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. “The Governor of Manipur, who could handle the situation in Kashmir, is now unable to deal with this issue in Manipur. Why was he involved in the decision to suspend the MST bus?”
The All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union and the Editors’ Guild Manipur also condemned the incident and took up an indefinite pen-down strike from Wednesday.
BJP’s Northeast in-charge, Sambit Patra, termed the action by security forces as an “avoidable misunderstanding.” He said the “integrity of Manipur is non-negotiable.”
