Chief Minister: Manipur's Ethnic Conflict is Complex and Requires Time for Resolution

Imphal, Dec 12 (NationPress) Chief Minister N. Biren Singh of Manipur remarked on Thursday that finding a resolution to the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state is a lengthy endeavor, noting that the situation has become chronic and fragile.

During an event held to honor the significant Nupee Lal Numit (Women’s War Day), the Chief Minister described the current ethnic hostilities as unprecedented and emphasized that both state and central governments are dedicated to finding a lasting resolution to the crisis.

“However, achieving a solution will take time due to the chronic and fragile nature of the situation,” he stated.

Singh further mentioned that the state government, in collaboration with central forces, has been tirelessly working to locate Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, who has been missing from the Leimakhong Army campus.

On the topic of re-enacting the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in six areas of Manipur, he revealed that the state government has urged the central government to review and withdraw the act from these police station areas.

The Chief Minister appealed for public cooperation and support in the government's initiative to restore peace and stability in the state.

Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, a resident of Gossaipur in Cachar district of southern Assam, was residing in Loitang Khunou village in Imphal West district. He left his home on November 25 to report to the Leimakhong military station, where he was employed as a supervisor for a contractor with the Military Engineering Services (MES), but has since gone missing.

Numerous Meitei community organizations have alleged that Singh was abducted by Kuki militants.

According to defense sources, around 2,000 personnel from the Army and Assam Rifles are actively searching for the 56-year-old Meitei man Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, who has been unaccounted for for the past 18 days.

The Army, as part of their search efforts, has deployed tracker dogs, drones, and various other technologies.

Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the Meira Paibis (women vigilantes in Manipur), who have been protesting for the rescue of the missing individual, have also called upon Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for assistance in locating Kamalbabu Singh.

The Meira Paibis and the JAC have continued their separate protests against the abduction of Kamalbabu Singh.

Simultaneously, numerous organizations have been campaigning for the repeal of AFSPA.

On December 10, thousands of men and women, including students, participated in a large rally in Imphal advocating for the repeal of AFSPA and accountability for terrorists responsible for the brutal killings of three women and three children in Jiribam.

The rally, co-organized by five prominent organizations, including the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO), Poirei Leimarol Apunba Meira Paibi, and All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA), commenced at Thau ground in Imphal West district and concluded after covering approximately 5 km at Khuman Lampak stadium, where a public meeting took place.

Holding placards and chanting slogans such as 'Do not obliterate Manipur' and 'Save Manipur', the demonstrators emphatically called for the swift repeal of AFSPA.