IMPHAL: The central government is against the idea of dividing Manipur and carving out a ‘separate state’.
This was informed by Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Monday (May 15).
This clarification from the Manipur chief minister came amid demands by tribal leaders of the state, including MLAs, for creation of a ‘separate state’.
Notably, as many as ten (10) Manipur MLAs, belonging to the Kuki community in the state, recently sought “separation from the state of Manipur”.
“Our people can no longer exist under Manipur,” the 10 tribal MLAs had stated on Friday (May 12) in a statement to the media.
The ten tribal MLAs stated that the violence “perpetrated against the hills tribals” has “effected a total separation from the state of Manipur”.
“As the state of Manipur has miserably failed to protect us, we seek of the union of India a SEPARATE ADMINISTRATION under the constitution of India and live peacefully as neighbours with state of Manipur,” the tribal MLAs stated.
Also read: Manipur | Tribal MLAs seek ‘separate state’, say ‘to live amidst Meitei is as good as death’
The Manipur chief minister briefed the media on Monday at Imphal in regards to the prevailing situation in the state.
Notably, this media briefing by the Manipur chief minister came just a day after he and four of the state’s ministers met union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
“I assure the people that the territorial integrity of Manipur will be protected at all costs,” CM Biren Singh said.
He further said that measures are being taken to ensure peace and normalcy returns to Manipur.
Speaking about the meeting with Amit Shah, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said that the union home minister is monitoring the situation.
He added that measures are taken “to make the SoO groups return to their camps”.
The Manipur CM added: “Measures are being taken to… strengthen efforts to bring normalcy back to the state.”
Also read: Measures taken to bring normalcy back to Manipur, says CM Biren Singh
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, along with four cabinet ministers and state BJP chief A Sharda Devi met Amit Shah on Sunday (May 14).
The meeting continued for almost two hours and focused on restoration of peace in the violence-hit Northeast state of Manipur.
The Manipur government has been asked by the Centre to engage with the public and do a mega reach out about the situation.
The Centre has also assured the Manipur government that anybody who tried to disturb the peace in the state would not be spared.
The state ministers, who have accompanied Manipur CM Biren Singh to New Delhi, are: Th Biswajit, Th Basanta Kumar, Y khemchand and Govindas Konthoujam.