Rights activist Irom Sharmila on November 19 appealed to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh to take moral responsibility for unrest in the state and resign from his post.
She expressed disappointment that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not visited Manipur yet, almost 18 months after the violence started. The 'Iron Lady of Manipur', as Sharmila is popularly refered to, also believes that PM Modi's direct intervention can help resolve the crisis.
"The approach of the Centre is not right. PM 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 told news agency PTI in a telephonic interview.
She also warned that the reimposition of the "draconian" Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in six police station areas in Manipur could escalate the unrest further. Sharmila emphasised that sensitivity and understanding are vital for restoring peace in the region.
Alleging that CM Biren Singh has failed to restore peace, Sharmila stressed that immediate and decisive action is needed to stop the ongoing ethnic violence, which has claimed over 200 lives and displaced thousands since May last year.
"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.
"The Centre must conduct a referendum among the communities to determine how to resolve the crisis. The government needs to understand what the people of Manipur want before taking corrective steps," Irom Sharmila added.
Last week, the Centre reimposed AFSPA in six police station areas of Manipur, including violence-hit Jiribam, citing the "continuous volatile situation" due to ongoing ethnic violence.
Criticising the Centre's decision, the Iron Lady of Manipur said, "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".
"AFSPA has brought nothing but suffering to the people of Manipur. It's time we moved beyond such colonial laws to find real solutions," the activist said.
Sharmila sat on hunger strike in 2000 after 10 civilians were allegedly killed by security forces at a bus stop in Malom near Imphal. She ended her hunger strike after 16 years but her peaceful resistance against AFSPA earned her widespread recognition though it did not result in the repeal of the law.
-With PTI inputs
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
