Peace still a dream in Manipur: Local residents

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Peace is still a distant future in Manipur, according to local residents. Cutting across community lines, several residents have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene. Around 100 people have died, thousands of houses set ablaze and intense hatred along communal lines have spread across the state with senior members of both communities accusing chief minister N Biren Singh of being the architect of the divide and subsequent breakdown of law and order.

There is a clamour among local residents for imposition of President's rule. The ruling BJP is also torn between the tribal legislators and Meiteis with 10 Kuki, Zo, Naga legislators from the hill areas reaching Delhi shortly. ``We will discuss among ourselves our future course of action and seek an appointment with the home minister and Prime minister,'' Letpao Haokip, tribal affairs minister in the BJP government and a senior leader of the Kuki community said.

Leaders of the Meitei community also sought a change in guard and ``President's rule'' as there is a complete lack of confidence in the N Biren Singh government. ``Meiteis are the majority in the state and yet we cannot buy land in tribal areas while the tribals can settle down and buy land in the valley,'' said a senior Meitei leader and local legislator.