Stop violence or face consequences, warns Manipur CM Biren Singh

IMPHAL— Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday warned people that they will have to face the consequences if they do not stop violence in the state.

He was reacting to the injury suffered by an Army soldier after unidentified men resorted to unprovoked firing in Imphal West district on Sunday night.

“Stop it (violence). Otherwise, they will face the consequences. I also appeal to the people… Meitei people who are with arms … not to attack anything and maintain peace so that we can restore normalcy in the state,” Biren Singh told reporters here.

According to officials, the soldier was evacuated to the military hospital at Leimakhong and is said to be stable. He sustained gunshot wounds in his left leg after unidentified men resorted to unprovoked firing in Manipur’s Imphal West district around 11.45pm on Sunday.

They said the incident took place at Kanto Sabal village adjoining Leimakhong (Chingmang).

Soon after the incident, Army Columns resorted to controlled retaliatory fire keeping given the presence of villagers in the area.

During the incident, unidentified armed men also set three houses on fire in Chinmang village. The fire was later doused by the Army.

After a couple of hours of calm, unprovoked firing started again from Meitei village of Kanto Sabal around 2.35 am and continued till 3 am, officials added.

Biren Singh also said his government will build 3,000-4,000 pre-fabricated houses to accommodate people who had to flee from their houses during the ongoing violence in the northeastern state.

Prefabricated houses are ready-made structures that are constructed off-site and assembled at the place where the homes will be set up.

Biren Singh, who visited some relief camps during the day, said that those pre-fabricated houses will be ready in two months.

“People are suffering… The state government is going to construct pre-fabricated houses to accommodate them (those living in relief camps) temporarily till a permanent arrangement is made to shift them to their previous places,” the Biren Singh said.

“The materials will reach Imphal in 10-15 days. The government is looking for a place to set up those houses,” Singh said.

A large number of houses were burnt and more than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki community people in Manipur that broke out over a month ago.

Meanwhile, in a possible response to Biren Singh’s appeal for peace, an Assam-based Meitei organisation on Monday cancelled its proposed economic blockade on National Highway-306 linking Silchar in Assam with Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram.

NH-306/6 is the lifeline of Mizoram linking the state with Assam and the rest of the country.

The Manipur government had imposed a curfew on 11 of the 16 districts and banned internet services in a bid to stop the spread of rumours in the state.

Congress attacks government

The Congress on Monday stepped up its attack on the government over the situation in violence-hit Manipur, saying “every passing day of neglect” confirms the belief that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP are interested in prolonging the conflict.

The Congress’ attack came a day after it demanded that an all-party delegation be allowed to visit the state.

In a tweet, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said, “Manipur is burning since 49 days. On Day 50, will PM Narendra Modi fly away to foreign lands, without uttering a single word on the ongoing crisis?”

“Hundreds dead, thousands rendered homeless, countless churches and places of worship destroyed, and a state administration that is part of the problem, not the solution. To make matters even worse, the violence is now spreading to Mizoram as well,” the Congress leader said on Twitter.

Manipur is burning since 49 days. On Day 50, will PM @narendramodi fly away to foreign lands, without uttering a single word on the ongoing crisis?

Hundreds dead, thousands rendered homeless, countless churches and places of worship destroyed, and a state administration that is…

— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) June 19, 2023

Since the last many days, Manipuri leaders have been seeking time from Prime Minister Modi to ensure his intervention, Venugopal said.

“Every passing day of neglect confirms the belief that PM Modi and the BJP are interested in prolonging the conflict, not finding a solution,” he charged.

Taking a jibe at Modi, the Congress leader asked when will the “self-styled vishwaguru” listen to “Manipur Ki Baat”.

Posing further questions, he said, “When will he (Prime Minister Modi) speak to the country, to make a simple call for peace? When will he demand accountability from the Union Home Minister and the Manipur CM for their total failure in bringing peace?”

Also read: Manipur violence: Mizoram government urges Centre to provide relief fund for displaced people

Biren Singh Biren Singh Biren Singh