NEW DELHI: Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the Centre was not in a hurry to clamp President’s rule in Congress-ruled Manipur even as the Government is closely watching the “deteriorating” law and order situation.
The Government has already asked the State Government to ensure lifting the economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC).
“Manipur government should ensure lifting of the blockade immediately. We promise all the help including deployment of more paramilitary forces to ensure normalcy is restored in the state…,” Singh said during an interaction with reporters at North Block.
On a question if the Centre was planning to impose President’s rule in the State, Singh said: “We are monitoring the deteriorating law and order situation very closely and have also informed the Election Commission about it. The Centre is not in a hurry to clamp President’s rule.”
The home minister said political issues should be resolved in a peaceful manner by the State government and those supporting the blockade.
The situation in Manipur has worsened following the economic blockade called by United Naga Council (UNC) along National Highway 2 and National Highway 37since November 1 against Ibobi Singh government’s plan to create seven new districts.
“We are talking to all stakeholders in Manipur including Naga groups to help bring normalcy in the state,” Singh said.
On December 22, Rajnath Sinh had slammed the Manipur government for “failing” to discharge its constitutional duties. In a letter to the state chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, the home minister had highlighted how the continuous blockade of the NH-2 caused scarcity of essential commodities causing miseries to the common people.
Assembly election in Manipur is expected to be held along with other four states next month. The home ministry had on Monday submitted a report to the EC on the ‘grave’ situation prevailing in the state.
When asked whether the situation in Manipur was conducive for polls, Singh said: “We have apprised the election commission of the situation prevailing in Manipur. They will decide all the measures needed to hold free and fair election and we will provide all assistance …..”
Singh further said the Centre was committed to maintaining the rule of law in Manipur as blockades anywhere in India was a gross violation of law and a crime against humanity causing suffering to people.
According to the ministry’s reports to the EC the law and order situation in Manipur’s four districts was not conducive to free and fair polls.
“In the report we have highlighted how the situation is very volatile in the four districts and people might not access polling booths because of fear of violence. It is the prerogative of the poll body to decide on holding elections in the prevailing situation," said an official.
Sources said the home ministry was mulling to rush more paramilitary forces to deal with economic blockade that has created serious scarcity of essential commodities. At present, nearly 7,000 paramilitary forces are deployed in the state.
“The top brass of CRPF yesterday met the election commission officials and informed them about the logistics needed for holding elections in the state,” the official added.