The recent spurt of protest against the killing of civilians by cadres of NSCN-IM at Ukhrul town in Manipur is a clear indication about the existence of a parallel government in the state. Neither the Union Government, which is ensuing peace talk with the NSCN-IM, nor the state government, which has been concealing the truth about the excess of the rebel group can now rule out the fact that, the NSCN-IM is running a parallel government in the state.
The picture becomes crystal clear, with the NSCN-IM claiming responsibility of the incident. What is more surprising is that the rebel group had stated that they had constituted an inquiry committee to find out the truth of the incident.
In its press statement the outfit writes – “NSCN expresses its shame and pain for the ongoing situation in Ukhrul as a result of Custodial dead of rape accused Romeo Shally of Khamasom Village early morning of 15th June 2017 which got further aggravated when in a commotion Chingripam from the same village was hit by a stray bullet while resorting to blank fire while trying to disburse mob. On his way to hospital, he succumbed to his injury.”
The statement openly said that the cadres of the NSCN-IM fired gunshots to disperse the mob, which meant that the cadres are openly carrying arms in the state of Manipur where the cease fire agreement between the Center and the outfit has not been extended.
Today is June 17, and the civil society organisations of the state are gearing up to observe the ‘The Great June Uprising Day’ or the ‘Integrity Day’ tomorrow, in commemoration to the mass uprising of June 2001, where 21 people were martyred while protesting against the extension of cease fire between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India beyond the state of Nagaland.
It is worth recalling that the infamous Bangkok declaration between the Govt. of India and the NSCN –IM, which had extended the cease fire between the two “without territorial limits”, had almost burnt the state capital. State Assembly was burnt, almost all political parties offices, quarters of MLAs, Ministers were vandalised and even the Chief Minister’s Bungalow was not spared by the angry agitators. On June 18, the mass uprising reached its climax with the death of 14 protestors leaving several others injured in police firing. More protestors succumbed to injury reaching the number to 18. 3 more also died in the protest for protection of the territorial integrity of the state.
The Ukhrul incident of the day before yesterday is indeed as serious as Bangkok declaration. A mere mistake in handling the issue may spark another June 18. Let the state act and let the ground rule of the cease fire be properly followed for the good of the state call Manipur.
