Except for stray shout outs and comments on social media, some CSOs have a habit of blaming the Security Advisor and the DGP only and not the state Chief minister who happens to be in charge of the Home department, for failure to protect the lives and properties of the civil population in Manipur. This time also, the blame for the lapse of security in the Koutruk incident is laid at the feet of the Security Advisor and DGP while calling for resignation of the two security officials holding the posts. Strangely, even the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister had been spared of the blame.
Both Security Advisor Kuldeip Singh and the DGP Rajiv Singh were sent by the Union Home ministry to deal with the Manipur situation, although their appointment orders were issued by the state Home department and naturally Chief Minister N Biren Singh was taken into confidence as he holds the Home portfolio. Later on, the command of Unified Command which takes the ultimate decision on law and order besides security related issues was transferred to the Security Advisor under orders of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah when he visited Manipur in the early days of the crisis.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh could have resigned in protest there and then, when Amit Shah announced the decision. He did not. Yes, there was a strange incident of Biren Singh making an attempt to submit his resignation to the state Governor who resides in Raj Bhavan on 30 June 2023, a stone’s throw away from the CM bungalow all within the high security zone. Well, he was stopped on the way and his resignation paper torn to shreds by his ‘loyal’ women supporters.
After that, there was no talk of resignation. In many interactions with different CSOs and Meira Paibi groups, he used to express his inability to act as his hands are bound and not being given charge of the Unified Command, unofficially of course. But, in the recent assembly session he came out in the open with his pitiable situation. Yet, he continued to assert that he must remain in his post to save the state. Strange logic indeed.
What we need to understand is that both Security Advisor and DGP works under the orders of the Union Home Ministry. They report to the Home Ministry mandarins directly and their action or inaction in any circumstances vests in the orders of the mandarins in New Delhi. The top officials in the Home ministry report to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah himself who again supposedly briefs the Prime Minister. So, why blame the Security Advisor and DGP? They are simply acting on instructions from the Home Ministry.
If at all, we want to blame someone for all that is happening in the state and present situation it should be the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and the state Chief Minister. We must remember that the order of reconstitution of the Unified Command did say that the CM may call a meeting of the (Unified Command) as and when required and he will head such a meeting.
Although the Security Advisor directly handles the Unified Command the Chief Minister can still convene meetings of the Unified Command and discuss security matters while also placing his point of view. So, leading CSOs and women groups should understand that the ultimate decision lies with the Chief Minister. Whether he is willing to assert his authority as the leader of the people and state or continue dancing to the tune of central leaders, this question has to be asked of him. If he indeed asserts his authority, there would be no place for either the Security Advisor or the present DGP in the state.
