Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday strongly refuted the existence of ‘buffer zones’ between the fringe villages of the valley and surrounding hill areas.
Talking to the press he said, there are no buffer zones identified by the state government in Manipur. Certain areas have been identified as either sensitive or hotspot zones, said Biren, adding that forces can go anywhere.
He assured that no area of the state will be left out from the purview of the state and its law and order machinery.
He said, the state government strongly condemns the attack on government officers and announced that a magisterial inquiry will be conducted against the incident of vandalising and arson at deputy commissioner’s office and other important offices in Churachandpur on February 16.
“The head constable was suspended with proper verification. If the mob was angry against the SP, why did they torch the DC office? It shows that there is a hidden motive behind the mob violence,” CM Biren said.
Another magisterial inquiry will be conducted into the 5th IRB Chingarel Tezpur incident, as well as arm loots incident of Manipur Police Training College (MPTC), he said.
In connection with the Chingarel Tezpur incident, seven IRB personnel have been suspended, he announced.
Concerning the 24-hour ultimatum served to SP Churachandpur by the Indigenous Tribal Leader Forum (ITLF), CM Biren said that an FIR has been lodged against the said organisation.
The group has threatened the SP as well as the DC of Churachandpur district. Such grave threats to the law enforcing agencies and government officials will not be taken lightly by the government, he added.
He mentioned that a mob had pulled down the national flag in Churachandpur and the act of trampling upon it is an insult to the nation.
He further said that legal action has been initiated against an individual who issued a threat on the SP on social media. It is the primary duty of the government to maintain law and order, and protect public property.
“The government and all right-thinking persons of the state and country are with the SP and DC of Churachandpur. You are not alone, we are standing with you,” CM Biren said.
The chief minister said that the incident in Churachandpur resulted after a state leader posted on Twitter (X) that no one was suspended when weapons were snatched in Imphal, while a personnel was suspended in Churachandpur. He added that it was an act of inciting and misguiding the youths.
Playing such divisive politics and misleading the youth is condemnable; the state government is preparing to take legal action, he said.
“There is a limit to tolerance and restraint. We have been restraining ourselves for the past many days by considering that the people will face hardships,” CM Biren said.
There will be no compromise against any challenges on state or national security, he said, adding that additional forces have been deployed to carry out combing operations in Sugnu area and Lailoiphai where a gunfight took place.
ADG Law and order has been instructed to inspect the activities in the area and identify the types of ammunition and bombs used during the attacks, said Biren, adding that there is a suspicion that foreign hands will be involved.
He further appealed to the general public to prevent anyone from resorting to any anti-social activities. By taking advantage of the conflict situation in the state, some anti-social elements are abducting people for ransom, disturbing developmental projects of departments, involving in extortion along national highways, snatching vehicles, etc.
He also raised concern that many organisations have been formed and posting anything on social media without knowing history and fact properly; such activities should be stopped.
Regarding the relief camps, Biren said that the financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per person to 59,800 individuals staying in relief camps have been sanctioned for the third time. The Government will provide alternative accommodation for the relief camps as well, he added.
Attempts to reach a proper political solution through dialogue from different angles are being made, CM Biren said.
