‘Manipur needs urgent attention at highest level’ ex-Army Chief

The North-Eastern state witnessed a rise in violence after a riotous mob clashed with Rapit Action Force. The clashes were followed by torched propereties in Imphal nad flaming roadblocks on Friday. Notably, the clashes between tribal communities Meiteis and Kuki tribe continue to escalate even after the Centre and state government’s request to maintain peace in the state.

“An extraordinary sad call from a retired Lt Gen from Manipur. Law & order situation in Manipur needs urgent attention at highest level. @AmitShah @narendramodi @rajnathsingh,”tweeted General Ved Prakash Malik on Friday.

In his tweet, former Indian Army Chief General Ved Prakash Malik also tagged Home Minister Amit Shah, Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He retweeted a post of a retired Lt General from Manipur, who said,”the state is stateless” and compared Manipur’s situation with that of Syria, Nigeria, and Libya. 

“I’m just an ordinary Indian from Manipur living a retired life. The state is now ‘stateless’. Life and property can be destroyed anytime by anyone just like in Libya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Syria, etc. It appears Manipur has been left to stew in its own juice. Is anyone listening?,” tweeted Retired Lieutenant General L Nishikant Singh on Friday. 

The state is dealing with immense violence since May. Clashes first broke out on May 3 post a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organised in the hill districts. The march was conducted to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Last two days, witnessed attack on properties of notable retired bureaucrats and political leaders. On Thursday night, Union Minister RK Ranjan Singh’s house was attacked, it was close to get burnt into ashes by the attackers. A warehouse near the royal palace was burnt down completely. The destroyed warehouse belonged to a retired tribal IAS officer.

Updated: 17 Jun 2023, 09:02 AM IST