MANIPUR HAS NO BUFFER ZONES, FORCES CAN GO ANYWHERE- CM
CONFLICT
Imphal: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has expressed grave concern over recent violent incidents in Churachandpur and Imphal East districts and announced the formation of magisterial inquiry panels to investigate them.
While citing an incident in Churachandpur where miscreants pulled down the Indian Flag from atop the District Commissioner office on 15 January, N Biren Singh asserted that “trampling the tricolour is an insult to the whole nation.”
In Churachandpur on Thursday night, two individuals lost their lives, and another fatality occurred near the Manipur Police Training College (MPTC) Pangei in Imphal East on Tuesday night when Central paramilitary forces intervened. The mob also looted weapons from the 5th India Reserve Battalion (IRB) camp near Pangei and ransacked the office of DC Churachandpur, setting security vehicles ablaze.
CM Biren conveyed his condolences, condemning the loss of lives, and emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order. He announced that magisterial inquiries would be conducted, and legal actions taken against those found guilty.
Addressing a media conference, he stated, his government will not compromise against any threat on the state or national security at any location in Manipur. The chief minister further stated that, “there is no buffer zone, boundary or jurisdiction identified in the State,” underscoring certain areas as sensitive or hotspot zones. Biren assured the people that the state’s law and order would cover every area in Manipur.
Emphasizing no compromise on state or national security, Biren disclosed the deployment of additional forces in Sugnu (Kakching district) and Lailoiphai (Churachandpur district) to conduct combing operations in reported gunfight areas.
The chief minister reiterated that, “It is the primary duty and responsibility of the government to maintain law and order, protect public property and lives.”
He said legal action will be initiated against all the hose who fan and contribute to unrest gripping the state since May 3 last year.
Without naming a Churachandpur MLA, the chief minister lambasted an elected representative for fanning the ethnic violence and added that a police case will be filed against him. The MLA allegedly took to the microblogging websites X to spread provocative, misleading and divisive report, accusing the state government of being communal and unjust.
Another case will be filed against an individual who issued death threats on social media against SP Shivanand Surve in Churachandpur.
Responding to threats on law enforcement agencies and officials by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), he asserted that the government would not tolerate such threats and expressed solidarity with the SP and DC, Churachandpur.
ITLF had given an ultimatum to the Churachandpur district SP to leave the district within 48 hours after the Churachandpur violence on 15 January that partially left the offices of the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of police burnt, including attempting to burn down their official bungalows. Even the nation’s tricolour flag was dishonoured in the incident.