‘Proper security measures could prevent displacing people in Manipur crisis’

Imphal: Opposition in the Manipur Legislative Assembly blamed the Biren-led government for the virtual separation between Meitei and Kukis, during a discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address on Wednesday during the 6th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The present scenario of separation might not have happened if proper security measures had been taken, Opposition leader Okram Ibobi said.

Other three opposition MLAs among five made similar statement on the Assembly floor.

The then Governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey, delivered her Governor’s address on February 28 during the last session. Raising an amendment motion on the Governor’s address, opposition leader Okram Ibobi said it is the fault of the present government that thousands of people were evacuated to safer places after the May 3 incident last year. He blamed the government, stating that due to the mistakes of the government during the initial period of the ongoing crisis, the virtual separation between Meitei and Kukis is now witnessed.

Thousands of displaced people who are currently suffering at relief camps might not be facing such hardships, if the government had provided adequate security and secured the people at their respective residences.

Opposition MLA K Meghachandra, raising his amendment motion on the Governor’s address, said the address delivered by the Governor did not mention any important issues or achievements of the government. Evacuating affected people to so-called safer places at relief camps could not be counted as an achievement of the government. He said nothing was mentioned in her speech regarding the government’s initiatives or roadmap for restoring peace in Manipur.

MLA K . Ranjit from the opposition bench informed the House, reacting to the Governor’s address, that with the failure in law and order of the Biren-led government, thousands of youths picked up arms to defend their villages. Defending the public is the duty of state as well as central forces. But as Manipur failed to timely intervene while controlling the present violence during the initial period, youths looted arms and ammunition just to defend themselves and their villages, he added.

He urged the state government, through the assembly floor, to take up a policy for the safeguard of the present village defense volunteers and for their future.

Clarifying the amendment motions raised by the opposition MLAs, leader of the House N. Biren Singh said due to time constraints, some points were missed in the Governor’s address. However, almost all the important points were included. He said due to misunderstandings among the public, Manipur violence has extended. As part of the peace initiation process, he had recently met some Kuki MLAs and CSOs in Guwahati. Biren failed to disclose the identity of the MLAs and CSOs on the assembly floor.

He said in the next 2-3 days, some CSOs (which he did not identify) will come to take part in the peace initiation process of the ongoing violence. Since the violence erupted, Assam Rifles have been vigilant at border areas to prevent the influx of illegal immigrants, he added.

Regarding the issue of village defense volunteers, Biren clarified that the government is monitoring their activities. He assured that the government will take necessary measures for the village defense volunteers safety when peace is restored.

He said the government is taking stringent action against those village defense volunteers who are involved in extortion and other anti-social activities.