IMPHAL: Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju, said the two 'blocked' national highways in Manipur would be reopened “as soon as possible”.
The influential United Naga Council (UNC) has enforced an “economic blockade” on the two highways since November 1 protesting against the state government’s decision to create seven districts without consulting the Nagas (tribesmen).
“The people of Manipur should not suffer further. Road blockade is unacceptable and it has to be lifted at any cost. It is the sovereign duty of the State as well as Central government. The supply routes will be cleared as soon as possible. The State government has to ensure that the roads are through and for
which security forces are being arranged,” Rijiju told the media in Imphal on Friday following his meeting with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, his deputy Gaikhangam, and senior officials of the State government and Central security forces.
Stating that law and order is in the domain of a State government, the Minister asked the State government to ensure there were no further blockades.
“Political issues are different. I have made it clear that State government could be of one political party and the Central government of another. But when it comes to our sovereign duty, there is no political colour…We believe in the spirit of cooperative federalism. There is no provision in the Constitution where
the Centre can take any action on its own without the consultation of State government or any demand made by it,” he said.
His veiled message was for the Ibobi government, which was miffed over the Centre’s alleged delayed response to the situation.
“We have an elected government in Manipur and all parameters in the Constitution are clear that the State government has all powers to maintain law and order. There has been no instance to show the
Centre had not come to support the State government,” Rijiju asserted.
“The State government cannot skirt its responsibility. Similarly, the Centre will not be found wanting. Some misgivings were given that the Centre didn’t act fast enough or delayed. This perception is not right. Nobody should try to take any political advantage out of a humanitarian crisis. The crisis stemmed from political differences which we cannot tolerate. Election is coming (in Manipur) and so there may be some political game plan which may be beneficial to some political party but the common people will suffer,” he said.
Rijiju also said that he had not come to Manipur with any political agenda but to ensure the blockade was lifted. He disclosed that 154 companies of the central paramilitary forces (CPMFs) were already
deployed in the State, including some guarding the border, and additional seven companies of the CPFMF were on the way to the State. He assured that if there were still any gaps, they would be filled up.
Asked about the violation of ceasefire ground rules allegedly by the Isak-Muivah faction of Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), Rijiju said the charges had to be
substantiated with evidence. He said the Army and paramilitary forces were very clear in terms of maintaining the ground rules.
“No one is permissible to flout the ground rules. If anybody violates them, the State government has to ensure in coordination with Central forces that action is taken against them,” he said.