Imphal, Jan 6: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Keisham Meghachandra Singh on January 5 criticised the Centre following a high-level meeting in New Delhi between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the state’s top officials, alleging that the discussions failed to provide any roadmap for restoring peace and normalcy in the violence-hit state.
Speaking to the media, Meghachandra said the outcome of the meeting involving the Manipur Governor, Chief Secretary and Director General of Police was “not favourable” for resolving the crisis. He linked the meeting to a fresh incident of violence reported hours later, claiming it reflected the continuing instability in the state.
According to Meghachandra, an IED blast occurred around 6 am at Nganukon on Monday, injuring two local residents. He said the incident underscored the failure of the Centre’s approach and questioned the effectiveness of the deliberations held in New Delhi.
Accusing the central government of lacking the intent to resolve the situation, the Congress leader alleged that New Delhi was “not interested in bringing peace and normalcy to Manipur” and claimed that the prevailing unrest was a result of its own actions. He further alleged that the Centre was deliberately prolonging President’s Rule in the state, even at the cost of constitutional principles.
Terming the situation a “murder of democracy”, Meghachandra said the people of Manipur did not want continued direct control from Delhi and that prolonged central rule was eroding public trust and deepening political uncertainty.
He suggested that if both the central and state authorities were unable to control the situation, dissolving the Manipur Assembly and holding fresh elections would be the most democratic option. Blaming the BJP for the ongoing violence, Meghachandra described the party as the “architect of the present crisis” and accused it of pursuing a divide-and-rule policy.
He said that if the Centre was serious about restoring peace, it must adopt firm and impartial measures on the ground instead of relying on extended central rule.
