Absence of Authentic Political Leadership Triggered Violence in Manipur: Meitei Community Leaders
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Imphal, Jan 5 (NationPress) A prominent civil society organization (CSO) of the Meitei community in Manipur on Sunday attributed the ethnic unrest in the state to a lack of authentic political leadership.
Thockhom Somorendro, the Coordinator of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), asserted that the ethnic turmoil in Manipur stemmed from a deficit of genuine political guidance.
He criticized both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress leaders, stating that they prioritize party agendas over the welfare of the populace.
Expressing grave concerns regarding the deteriorating law and order situation in Kangpokpi district and the overall governance in Manipur, Somorendro took issue with the state’s security apparatus, alleging that the Director General of Police and the government’s Security Advisor had demonstrated a lack of competence in managing the crisis.
Despite a mob assaulting the office of the Superintendent of Police in Kangpokpi district on January 3, resulting in injuries to SP Manoj Prabhakar, he remarked that no measures were taken against the assailants.
He further spotlighted the recent killing of a village volunteer from the Meitei community by security forces and the ensuing arrests of numerous individuals defending their communities.
"The actions of the security forces seemed biased and unfair. They have utterly failed to address the escalating unrest,” the COCOMI leader expressed.
Referring to the current blockade of National Highway (NH-2) by certain groups, he noted that despite a significant presence of security forces in the state, no action was being taken against those responsible.
"A proxy war has been unfolding in Manipur," he claimed.
Somorendro also accused the state of being rife with corruption, stating that citizens are compelled to pay unreasonably high sums for government employment.
Expressing his dismay, the COCOMI coordinator remarked that the people of Manipur have become desensitized to corruption, which hinders any meaningful progress. He pointed out that the populace's reliance on Ministers and MLAs has resulted in a scenario where trust in leadership is nearly nonexistent.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has temporarily suspended its indefinite economic blockade on the National Highway (NH-2) and the 24-hour strike in Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi.
This decision follows a consensus with authorities regarding the deployment of CRPF personnel in the Saibol region of Lhungtin Subdivision in Kangpokpi district.
The CoTU has cautioned that if the remaining Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) units are not withdrawn from Kuki-Zo occupied areas within 48 hours, they will escalate their protests.
