Imphal: BJP legislator and former Rural Development minister, Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Tuesday said that foreign agencies may try to take advantage of the ongoing Meitei-Kuki conflict to foment trouble in Manipur.
Condemning yesterday’s incident where two people were injured in a blast at Saiton Nganukon village in Bishenpur district, he said the blast occurred at a time when different civil society organisations are trying hard for the return of peace in the state.
“The fresh violence at this critical juncture made me suspect that foreign agencies / external hand could be trying to take advantage of the ongoing conflict in Manipur to foment trouble,” the BJP MLA said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
He urged the Central Government to take the matter seriously and investigate the case.
Khemchand said that ongoing civil war and conflicts in neighbouring Myanmar and Bangladesh are affecting the northeast region.
“I wondered why such incident occurred at a time when the Centre and the President’s Rule administration are working hard to bring peace and normalcy in the state,” he added. This is also a time when internally displaced persons (IDPs) belonging to both communities are trying to return to their homes.
Later speaking at the 51st Foundation Day celebration of the Manipur Press Club here, Khemchand said that blast and firing took place whenever there is semblance of peace in the state.
He said that peace and dialogue are the only way forward to resolve the present conflict.
He lauded the role of Assam Rifles in saving many innocent lives during the conflict.
He said that many people came to him during the start of the violence in 2023 and demanded the removal of Assam Rifles saying the para-military force is biased.
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“I told them that Kwatha Meitei village near Indo-Myanmar border was attacked by militants twice, but it was Assam Rifles, which repulsed the attack. People at Dolaithabi in Imphal East district had demanded Assam Rifles troops to be deployed in their area. Can we say Assam Rifles are bad? Assam Rifles have saved many lives,” Khemchand said.
He said that there could be instances where people may complain against Assam Rifles for not taking action during the conflict. “But you cannot blame Assam Rifles as a whole,” he commented.
He praised the work of civil society organisations like FOCS, AMUCO and COCOMI in trying to bring peace in the state. He also appreciated COCOMI’s announcement that all Kukis can enter Imphal without fear.
