Manipur Government to Announce Peace Talks Efforts, Says CM

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced on Thursday that the state government is actively pursuing peace talks, with several meetings already held in Assam's Silchar. "We are making immense efforts towards peace talks with the assistance of MLAs and other members. Meetings have been held in Silchar, and we will soon make an announcement," Singh told the Assembly without elaborating on other parties involved in the meetings.

Singh described the violence as an unexpected and unwanted turn of events and added, "Given the grim law and order situation, taking extreme measures, including arrests, might have negative repercussions." He also noted that some issues are being politicised, which is complicating the situation. "There are elements which are politicising certain issues that cannot be immediately handled now. I appeal to all not to engage in such activities," Singh said.

Investigation into Violence

In response to Congress MLA Ranjit Singh's question about violence occurring despite the presence of over 38,000 personnel of the state forces, the chief minister said, "An investigation is being conducted by a retired Supreme Court judge. The findings will identify the lapses that contributed to the violence, and responsibility will be fixed based on the inquiry's conclusions." This investigation aims to uncover the reasons behind the failure to prevent violence despite significant security presence.

Replying to a query from Congress MLA Surajkumar Okram, the CM said, "So far, 226 people have been killed in the violence. There have been delays in arresting culprits in certain cases due to mob-like conditions. There have also been instances of groups obstructing security forces." These delays have hindered swift justice and exacerbated tensions.

Political Influence on Public Sentiment

N Biren Singh told the House on Thursday that local politics have stirred up public emotions and diverted attention from core issues. Without naming the Congress party, the chief minister pointed out that during the recent Lok Sabha election campaign, assurances by some candidates were made to internally displaced persons (IDPs) that they would be able to return to their homes if the nominees were elected.

The CM said, "These promises have stirred up emotions." In an impassioned speech, the chief minister explained that the return of internally displaced persons to their homes is currently not feasible due to ongoing conflict. "There are ongoing clashes, people have died, homes have been destroyed, and there have been shootings. This is not a minor altercation; it's a serious conflict involving armed militants. The government is working on it, but policies and programmes take time."

Singh emphasised that extreme measures could lead to negative consequences given the current law and order situation. He urged all parties not to politicise issues that cannot be immediately resolved. The chief minister's remarks highlight the complexity of managing both public sentiment and security concerns amid ongoing violence.

The government continues its efforts towards peace talks while addressing immediate security challenges. The investigation led by a retired Supreme Court judge aims to pinpoint lapses and assign responsibility for failures in preventing violence. Meanwhile, political promises during election campaigns have further complicated efforts to stabilise the region.

The chief minister's appeal for patience underscores the difficulty of balancing long-term peace initiatives with immediate security needs. As investigations proceed and peace talks continue, Manipur's government remains focused on restoring stability and addressing public concerns.