Gaikhangam speaks out mind on ongoing clash ‘Different from Naga-Kuki clash’

By Our Staff Reporter

IMPHAL, Jan 3 : Congress Working Committee member and former Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has stated that the ongoing crisis in Manipur is completely different from the Naga-Kuki clash which took place in the 1990s.

Addressing the media at Congress Bhavan today, Gaikhangam said that the Kuki-Naga clash was triggered by the fight among the militant groups unlike the present crisis.

Saying that the Government of the time took a neutral stance and formed a peace committee having both Kuki and Naga members, he added that the committee members as well as the Naga and Kuki MLAs and Ministers worked together to resolve the conflict.

He also said that the BJP defending the non-visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Manipur till today by bringing up the issues of the past is unfortunate.

The BJP Government is unable to form a peace committee and ascertain the cause of the conflict let alone resolve the crisis, the Congress leader said and asked how the Government will restore normalcy without understanding the cause of the conflict.

Further stating that the State Government has been indulging in a blame game and spreading falsehood to portray the Congress party in the wrong light, he expressed desire for the State Government to show resilience and exercise their authority.

Gaikhangam further expressed desire for the Chief Minister to man up and take necessary steps to build confidence among the people.

If required, the Congress is always ready to mount pressure on the Central leadership together to resolve the crisis, he said.

Why is the State Government unable to seek serious intervention from the Centre all these months, he asked and added that deployment of large companies of Central forces has not helped to resolve the crisis.

He said that the Central security forces haven't done anything worthwhile to end the conflict.