IMPHAL, May 21: The national general secretary, Janata Dal (United) Arunkumar Srivastava who was on a two day visit to the state Manipur expressed his surprise on the way the government has been dealing with the Kuki militants who are under Suspension of Operation with the government and the Naga militants who are under ceasefire with the central government.
Speaking to media persons at a press conference held at the office of the JD (U), Arunkumar Srivastava who is also the North-Eastern in charge of JD (U) stated that political dialogue can bring a solution to the Kuki issue and that tripartite alone cannot be bring the much needed answer to the issue.
Speaking to media persons, he further said that the burning issue of imposing Armed Forces Special power Act, 1958 in Manipur ought to be solved immediately to save the life of Irom Chanu Sharmila who has been on a fast for more than ten years by now, demanding repeal of the Act.
Further speaking at the conference, he stated that even as the Act has resulted in killing of innocent public due to misuse of the Act by the Armed forces, in other states of Indian union facing problems of Terrorist activities, the same Act is not extended and as such the act should not be extended in the state of Manipur also, he added.
About the ceasefire between NSCN (IM) and Government of India, he said that the ceasefire accord between National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Issak Muivah (NSCN-IM) and the government of India has only caused untold misery to the people of Manipur given the frequent and unchecked attack at its peaceful atmosphere by the Naga outfit.
The Indian armed forces and paramilitary forces have claimed that they are capable of facing any challenge. “If it is so, why are the authorities helpless in preventing blockades and extortions on National Highway 39 between Nagaland and Manipur?”, he asked.
“Are the governments of India and Manipur doing anything to solve the frequent imposition of bandh and blockade on National Highway 39 and is there any concrete strategy to take the Indo-Naga ceasefire agreement to its logical end”, he further asked the governments.
The national general secretary also said that the Janata Dal United feels the law and order problem and extortion in the state of Manipur is mounting due to the unemployment problem of educated youths. Employment of youths and establishment of industry along with new construction of building and roads etc. will solve the problem.
With a special reference to the brutal killing incident on 23rd July, 2009 at about 10.30 a.m. in the heart of the Imphal city, Khwairamband Keithel, he further stated that fake encounter by the Manipur police commandos is going on in state.
He also added that the general notion in the state is that without four-five reports of killings in the state, the morning newspaper has become incomplete in Manipur these days.
The state unit president of JD-U, M Tombi Singh, who was also present at the press conference, said that the incumbent government of Manipur is busy earning corrupt money rather than discharging its duty towards the people.
The government must revoke its cabinet decision taken sometimes back on relocating street vendors of Khwairamband bazar and provide them with a proper market shed to protect them from natural elements, he demanded.
JD-U has totally lost its trust on the government of Manipur to be able to repair and maintain the National Highway 53 which is in dire need of attention, he said.
He further condemned the act of state police for banning the JD (U) official on using party banner, flags etc for the reception of national general secretary and North Eastern In charge, Janata Dal (United) Arunkumarji Srivastava.
