Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh promised to deploy state security forces to Nongshum. This move follows weeks of local unrest in the Imphal East district. Residents fear a security vacuum if the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front moves their base.
The trouble started June 27. Protesters in the Khundrakpam constituency blocked roads and set fire to military uniforms. The crowd intercepted supply trucks and demanded the departing rebels hand over their weapons for local protection. The government needs to step in.
Th Sanjoy, a local committee president, led a delegation to the Chief Minister's office to halt the transfer. Sanjoy said the Chief Minister warned that federal peace talks limit state authority on the matter. "The Chief Minister informed them that the issue is linked to peace negotiations being conducted by the Central government," Sanjoy told reporters.
Congress MLA Th Lokeshwar joined the meeting to back the residents. Locals view the rebel camp as a buffer against peripheral threats. The delegation asked the government to press the Centre to reconsider the move. The state has now committed to hardening defenses to keep the peace.
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