Thursday, May 25, 2023

Centre may consult ex army brass for drawing new roadmaps for Manipur, Nagaland


New Delhi 


Appreciating the gravity of the situation in violence-hit Manipur and near stalemate in Naga peace talks, the centre is now mulling the idea of talking to some former army officers for "informal consultations".


The decision has been taken apparently as there was no let up in situation and violence still continued in vulnerable areas. 







On May 23 night, Meiteis allegedly burned down three Kuki villages  in Bishnupur district. The hamlets are Phoisanphai (near Kwakta), P.Gelmol and Gangpibul (near Tronglaobi). Sources claimed one Toijam Chandramani (30) from Thengra Leirak was killed at Thamnapokpi hillside. 


 Another person sustained injury at Singda on Wednesday morning. Sources quoting reports from Manipur say Curfew relaxation has been withdrawm and restrictions have been reimposed in Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West and Jiribam districts in view of the deteriorating situation. 


The fresh order notified that all persons belonging to essential services such as health, transportation of food and water will be exempted.


In some places, people have been advised to take special permission in case of emergencies and for persons who want to take out procession for marriage and funerals.



Sources said officials who served in Nagaland in key and top positions in the late 1990s  too would be consulted. The feedback may be sought on the pending Naga peace talks which hit roadblock since 2019 when the contentious issues of Flag and Naga Constitution was raised by NSCN-IM.


On the other side, the NNPG too may now mount further pressure to take the talks and Agreed Position inked in 2017 to its logical conclusion.


One retired senior military officer when contacted told 'Nagaland Page' that -- "It will be a mistake and futile if no concrete movement in made in the Naga peace talks. Developments in Manipur wherein trust between non tribal Meiteis and tribal Kukis have been hit is a warning."


Another ex army official recently met Naga groups also and reportedly agreed that there was no justification for delay in peace parleys. "The Governments keep coming and going...Governors and Ministers change. The onus for peace and solution is more with Naga people and Naga rebel groups," the ex official said reportedly concurring with the Government stance that delay in finalising Naga peace pact is not due to centre. 


In a key development, a group of Kuki leaders met Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at Kohima on Wednesday and briefed about the volatile situation and also about their new demand for a Separate Administration, sources said. 


Some 250 Kuki people are taking shelter in Medziphema lately and state government, other agencies and Naga militant groups have extended humanitarian assistance by supplying rice and some essential commodities.


In Manipur, firefight between security forces and some Meitei groups has added to further tension.

Four security force personnel were reportedly injured in a gun battle in Kamjong district.


Ends 



An irate mob vandalised PWD Minister Govindas Konthoujam’s residence located at Ningthoukhong Bazar under Bishnupur district on Wednesday, reported 'Imphal Free Press'. 


The incident occurred around 4:00 pm when a mob, numbering over a hundred, entered the minister's residence and allegedly vandalized furniture, broke window panes, burnt files from his front office and damaged vehicles parked at his residence.

The irate womenfolk who blocked the road from Moirang Lamkhai to Thinungei stormed the minister’s residence after they blocked CRPF and RAF from going to Moirang.


Students’ organisations in Manipur are now pushing for implementation of National Register of Citizens in the state. While the state government has recently constituted a State Population Commission, it is yet to begin its work. 


Taking exception to the proposed delimitation exercise in 2020, several civil society organisations had come up with a demand for setting up a State Population Commission to resolve the issue of abnormal population growths and for finding accurate Census data. 


Now, as many as six student bodies of Manipur demanded amendment in National Register of Citizens (NRC) to detect and deport the illegal immigrant and initiate necessary legal action.





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