Manipur crisis: Chief Minister N Biren Singh exposes collaboration of Kuki Militants with external forces

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday said that the current crisis in Manipur is not a clash between ethnic group and not a law-and-order issue of the state, but purely a war against the Indian Union by Myanmar and Bangladesh based Kuki militants in collaboration with militant groups operating in Manipur.

Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), an apex body of tribals in Manipur, on Sunday night called an indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur district in protest against the “abduction of 7 Kuki-Zo people including two minors”.

The Chief Minister said that the current crisis was instigated by a group of people who want to disintegrate the state, but shown as ethnic or communal clash, or religion based, or between majority and minority, however, with the voice of people, the real cause has come up

Recalling the statement made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament and by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Manipur violence and more importantly the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) statement on arrest of Seiminlun Gangte on Saturday, the Chief Minister spoke on the clear caused of the crisis.

“As the issue is war against the Indian Union, the Central government would further take up necessary measures to tackle it.”

The Chief Minister appealed to the public to obey the rule of law like seeking permission from concerned Deputy Commissioners while carrying out protests and rallies.

He continued that misunderstanding and confrontation between protesters and security forces could be avoided, if we follow rules.

The ITLF urged the NIA and CBI to release the seven abductees within 48 hours, “failing which more intense agitation will follow in all hill districts of Manipur”.

“All boundary areas with the Meitei will be sealed from tomorrow (Monday). No one will be allowed to enter or leave the buffer zones. All government offices will be closed from tomorrow (Monday),” said Ginza Vualzong, ITLF senior leader and Spokesman.

The security forces on Sunday arrested arrested four people ans detained two others in connection with death of two youths. Those detained were later released and arrested people were handed over to CBI.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested Seiminlun Gangte in a case related to a transnational conspiracy by Myanmar and Bangladesh based leadership of terror outfits to wage war against the Government of India by exploiting the current ethnic unrest in the State of Manipur.