Manipur Is Now Stateless, Just Like Syria: Army Veteran Sends Out SOS Message

As communal tension continues to escalate in Manipur even after a month and a half, a retired top Army officer has tweeted the dire state of affairs, comparing the situation in the northeastern state with that of war-ravaged Libya, Lebanon, and Syria.

"I'm just an ordinary Indian from Manipur living a retired life. The state is now 'stateless'. Life and property can be destroyed anytime by anyone, just like in Libya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Syria, etc," tweeted Lt Gen (Retd) L Nishikanta Singh.

"It appears Manipur has been left to stew in its own juice. Is anyone listening?" asks the former Lieutenant General.

Former Army chief Ved Malik took note of the tweet and said that the law and order situation in the state needs urgent attention at the highest level.

"An extraordinary sad call from a retired Lt Gen from Manipur. Law and order situation in Manipur needs urgent attention at highest level," tweeted Malik tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Nearly 100 people have been killed in the violence in Manipur that started after a Tribal Solidarity March against the demand by the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis to be included in the Scheduled Tribes category.

Union Minister RK Ranjan Singh's house in Imphal was vandalised and set on fire by a mob on Thursday.

"I am shocked. The law and order situation in Manipur has totally failed," RK Ranjan Singh said on Friday.

"It is very sad to see what is happening in my home state. I will still continue to appeal for peace. Those indulging in this kind of violence are absolutely inhuman," he said.