Dear Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur,
The violence in Manipur that began on May 03, 2023 continues unabated. It was reported by the media that you have recently met the Governor asking that the reins of Manipur’s unified command, currently with Security Advisor Mr. Kuldip Singh (ex DG CRPF), be restored to your office. At the same time, your party MLA Mr. RK Imo has supposedly demanded the withdrawal of central forces from Manipur.
These developments, as well as the evident gross ineptitude of the Central and State governments in dealing with the ongoing crisis which continues to claim the lives of innocent people and prevents over 60000 internally displaced persons from returning to their homes, prompts some serious questions.
Since the state assembly is largely dysfunctional and the press has also been rendered quite ineffective, it is now left to ordinary citizens to demand answers from the government. Hopefully, in the spirit of democratic values, you will expeditiously provide unambiguous replies to these questions, and help the people of Manipur get clarity on these important matters.
Here are the key questions posed by many in the state and across the country:
- Has Article 355 been imposed in Manipur by the Central Government? If so, can your government share a copy of the notification and clarify when it became effective?
- If Article 355 is indeed in effect, was the State Government consulted and did the State Government willingly consent to its imposition by the Central Government? If yes, why was the State Government so willing to surrender the state’s powers to the centre?
- In the event that Article 355 has indeed been imposed and if it was put into effect without the State Government’s consent, why didn’t you resign on being overridden despite being an elected leader who won a large majority in the state assembly elections only a year earlier in 2022?
- If Article 355 has not been imposed, then under what authority is the Security Advisor deputed by the Central Government operating? Who has provided the Security Advisor the reins of the Unified Command? How would it be possible for the Security Advisor to head the Unified Command without the active consent of the State Government in the absence of Article 355?
- Assuming Article 355 is not in effect, what prevents you as Chief Minister from restructuring the Unified Command by yourself and assuming charge of the same? Why do you have to lead a delegation to the Governor in this regard, assuming media reports are correct?
- Again, if you remain an empowered Chief Minister without Article 355, what prevents you from ordering changes in the deployment of Central forces as demanded by BJP MLA Mr. RK Imo?
- What is the point of the continuance of the elected State Government and Chief Minister if they have no control over the law and order apparatus in our state and if the State Government is unable to uphold the constitutional powers of the state vis-a-vis the centre? Do you not think this continuance as the political leadership of a seemingly emasculated State Government is harming the interests of the state and its people by handing over the state’s rights and powers to the centre in contravention of the federal structure?
- Has the State Government devised a specific plan to resolve the ongoing crisis in a timebound manner? How does it plan to disarm the armed groups presently operating in the state and restore displaced persons to thier homes in a secure manner? And if the State Government does not have a cogent plan that you can share, what purpose does the continuance in office of the Chief Minister and the cabinet of ministers serve from the perspective of the people of the state?
- Why have you as Chief Minister not dismissed the ministers in your cabinet who are demanding a separate administration and who do not even attend cabinet meetings with you? As you would be aware, this can be done regardless of Article 355 by the Chief Minister simply writing to the Governor.
- Similarly why haven’t you and your party colleagues prevailed on the Speaker of the State Assembly to suspend the MLAs in your own party who are demanding a separate administration and refusing to attend the State Assembly? Equally, why haven’t you specifically asked your state party president to initiate the expulsion of these MLAs from your party?
- Should the fact that your government and party have failed to dismiss these Cabinet Ministers and suspend/expel those MLAs from your party be seen to imply that you and your party are not opposed to their demands for a seperate administration and the break up of Manipur?
- Why has the State Government not initiated action against overground workers and activists of militant organizations operating from Delhi and other cities on the country who are openly instigating violence against state forces and providing support to militant organizations that aim to impair the territorial integrity of Manipur? Why has the State Government failed to arrest these persons under the applicable laws and bring them to Imphal to face justice?
The people of Manipur continue to suffer greatly, and urgently need answers to these pressing questions. If you and your colleagues in the State Government are unable to provide the leadership that Manipur needs in this difficult time and uphold the rights of the State, please consider asking the Governor to dissolve the State Assembly and call for fresh elections at the earliest keeping in mind the paramount interest of safeguarding Manipur’s people and integrity.
The author is Founder & Chairperson of ETA, Northeast Women’s Network
