IT News/Agency
Imphal, Sept 22:
Amid the ongoing crisis in Manipur, Congress MP A Bimol Akoijam has raised sharp questions about the Centre’s response, accusing the government of “inaction.” In an interview with PTI, Akoijam criticized the Centre for allowing the northeastern state to descend into chaos, likening it to Afghanistan and describing it as a “banana republic.”
Akoijam questioned why the central government, despite the presence of 60,000 troops in Manipur, had failed to prevent the crisis from dragging on. He suggested that such a prolonged situation would not have been tolerated in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, or Madhya Pradesh, stating, “Most people would say no.”
Ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2022, following a tribal solidarity march in the hill districts protesting the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Since then, over 220 lives have been lost, including those from the Kuki and Meitei communities, as well as security personnel.
As the crisis continues, Akoijam called on the Centre to address the internal divisions within the state government, noting that BJP MLAs were presenting conflicting views on the demand for separate administration. He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not taking decisive action, saying, “Manipur is not a part of any banana republic. I will not allow this to happen. Talk it out, what is the problem?”
Last month, some Kuki groups in Manipur demanded the creation of a Union Territory with a legislature similar to Puducherry, citing it as the only solution to the ongoing strife. However, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has rejected this demand.
Akoijam, who represents Inner Manipur in the Lok Sabha, described Singh as a “small-time player” in the broader crisis but noted that he could not be absolved of responsibility. He placed the blame squarely on the central government, alleging that it had allowed the state to deteriorate into a situation akin to warlord-controlled Afghanistan.
The Congress MP also criticized the Centre’s inconsistent handling of the crisis, referencing historical atrocities to highlight the importance of accountability. “No official, regardless of rank, should escape responsibility,” he said, drawing parallels to the trial of Adolf Eichmann following the Holocaust.
Akoijam pointed to the breakdown of trust in state institutions, including the police, as a critical issue, stating that this eroded the legitimacy of the government. He also rejected Home Minister Amit Shah’s claim that the situation in Manipur had been largely peaceful outside of three days of recent violence, saying, “The government’s statements create confusion rather than clarity.”
Expressing doubt over the prospect of restoring peace between communities in Manipur, Akoijam emphasized the complexity of the situation, saying it could not be compared to other historical conflicts. He lamented the absence of entire communities and questioned how long it would take for those affected by communal violence to return to their homes.
Akoijam concluded by stressing the need for a robust and decisive response from the central government, as calls for peace and stability continue to grow in the strife-torn state.
