The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Tuesday raised suspicions as to whether bringing in more companies of the Central Armed Police Force and paramilitary forces is an attempt towards "Kashmirisation" of Manipur.
“It seems that the rapid inflow of large numbers of Central forces in the state might turn out to be an attempt to suppress the people just like in Kashmir, considering the possibility of public outrage if the state is reduced to the status of a union territory,” said MPCC vice-president Hareshwar Goshwami while speaking to the media at Congress Bhawan in Imphal.
He alleged that the failure of the government to secure civilians in the peripheral areas of the valley, despite having sufficient central forces, shows that there is some hidden agenda (likely creating a civil war) of the BJP in this present conflict.
Refuting the state government's claim of normalcy being restored, he pointed out that various instances of violence happening across the state in the last few days and the continuation of ban on internet services and curfew shows otherwise.
Expressing disappointment over the delay in providing compensation to violence victims in Manipur, another MPCC vice-president Kh Devbrata questioned the government over the delay in the distribution of compensation for violence victims and called the government's attitude "lethargic."
Compensations for victims of Kerala's boat capsize incident were given in the first week after the incident; however, even after 20 days, the government has not provided compensation to the victims here in Manipur, he said, questioning why the state government is dealing lethargically.
Lamenting the government's failure to bring in essential items along the NH-2 and incurring extra transport costs by bringing them along the NH-37, he questioned the reason for the government’s silence while miscreants are blocking the highway.
Devbrata went on to lament that both the Centre and the state governments are silent over reports of Myanmar-based rebel groups operating their camps in Moreh, a km away from the Moreh Integrated Check Post.
"Myanmar-based rebel groups are attacking bona fide citizens of India. Why is the government of India sitting on this issue? Even the Assam Rifles, district police and administration must be aware, but nothing has been done," he added.
