Manipur: Govt thinks twice, and some more

The replacement of Ibobi Singh with contenders like Th. Debendra Singh, who has been camping in Delhi with former CM Rishang Keishing, was also discussed. But this meant that the Centre would have to be prepared to impose President’s Rule on a Congress-ruled state as the possibility of legislators, who are under duress from the insurgents, resigning and joining the Manipuris on the street was high. This could lead to the anger of the Manipuris being directed at the Centre rather than their elected representatives.

However, the government realises the need of insulating the political leadership in Manipur from the militancy, where insurgent writ runs in Imphal city and the signs of collusion of underground with the politicians are apparent. It was former Manipur governor Lt. General V.K. Nayar who pointed out the politician-militant nexus in a classified report to Centre in 1990s when Keishing was CM.

While the government is assessing the impact of partial withdrawal of the Act, it is now clear that the situation even in Imphal city has not come back to normal. There was a bandh in Imphal city with people demanding the total withdrawal of the Act. The Centre feels if the Act has to be withdrawn from the city, there is nothing wrong in removing the ‘‘disturbed area’’ nomenclature from Ukhrul or Senpati districts that have seen no violence since the NSCN (I-M) was engaged in a dialogue with the Centre.

Apart from the political argument, the Manmohan Singh government has to contend with the Army and the Intelligence Bureau. The Army has made it clear that this step would make Imphal rather safe for the Metei insurgent groups.