IT News
Imphal, Sept 8:
The ongoing crisis in Manipur, now stretching over 16 months with no resolution in sight, has placed increasing pressure on Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and his government. In response to the mounting challenges, CM Biren Singh, along with his colleagues, met with Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya today. Political observers closely following the developments in the state note the growing tensions within the ruling BJP, as the government faces significant internal and external challenges.
In an effort to address the situation, CM Biren Singh convened two emergency meetings of BJP MLAs, both chaired by him, although some MLAs were notably absent. The first meeting coincided with the return of Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya from New Delhi after his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Another meeting was held yesterday, followed by a visit to the Governor’s bungalow. The Chief Minister and his team again met Governor today morning again, where the Chief Minister, along with his ministerial team and ruling BJP MLAs, submitted a memorandum.
While the specifics of the discussions between the Chief Minister and the Governor remain undisclosed, with both sides maintaining a tight-lipped stance, a statement from the Governor’s office confirmed the meeting. The statement read, “Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, along with the Speaker, Council of Ministers, and ruling MLAs, met with the Governor of Manipur, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, at Raj Bhavan in Imphal today and submitted a memorandum.”
Sources indicate that one of the key demands put forth by the N. Biren Singh-led government is for the state to gain control of the Unified Command, which oversees security operations in Manipur. The memorandum reportedly calls for the transfer of command to the elected state government, as per constitutional provisions, to enable a more assertive role in handling the security situation.
Another significant demand in the memorandum is the termination of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, which would allow security forces to take more decisive action in restoring order. The memorandum also emphasizes the need for measures to safeguard the state’s territorial integrity, complete border fencing, initiate the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise, and deport illegal migrants.
This political maneuver comes amid growing public dissatisfaction with both the state and central governments’ handling of the crisis. The recent escalation in violence, including the use of sophisticated weaponry such as drones and rocket bombs, has exacerbated the unrest in the last week, leading to widespread frustration among the people over the perceived inaction of the authorities.
As tensions continue to rise, the demands put forth by CM N. Biren Singh and his government reflect a bid to regain control and address the ongoing violence that has gripped Manipur since the ethnic clashes erupted in May last year.
