As Manipur remains on the edge following fresh wave of violence in several districts, rights activist Irom Sharmila has urged Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to take moral responsibility of the unrest and resign.
In an interview to news agency PTI, Sharmila also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting the state since the violence broke out in May 2023, while asserting that the direct intervention of Modi is required to resolve the crisis in the northeastern state.
"The approach of the Centre is not right. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting every state, but he has not gone to Manipur. He is the democratically elected leader of the country. It has been nearly eighteen months since the violence started, yet he has not visited. Only direct intervention by Prime Minister Modi can help resolve the crisis," Sharmila said.
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The activist, who had conducted a 16-year-long hunger strike against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur, claimed that re-imposition of the “draconian” rule in certain areas could escalate the unrest further.
"AFSPA can never be a solution. It is a draconian law. It has been in Manipur for so long, yet it hasn't stopped the violence. The Centre must recognise that the northeast is part of India not just in words but in practice. The reimposition of AFSPA would further aggravate the situation," she said in the interview.
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Amid escalating tension, the Union Home Ministry on November 14 reimposed AFSPA in six police station areas across five districts of Manipur to contain activities of insurgent groups.
Sharmila further blamed the “wrong policies” of the state government for the current situation in the state.
"The wrong policies of the state government have pushed Manipur into this unprecedented crisis. The chief minister must immediately step down for failing to restore peace since May last year. The BJP must ask him to resign. He has failed the people of Manipur,” she said.