Manipur CM Biren meets governor again, said to have sought end to truce pacts | India News

GUWAHATI: Manipur CM N Biren Singh led a delegation of about 20 MLAs to Raj Bhavan Sunday and handed governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya a memorandum that purportedly recommends revoking the 2008 tripartite agreement on suspension of operations against tribal militant groups suspected to be behind the resurgence of violence in the state.
Late in the evening, security forces used tear gas to disperse civilians rallying near Raj Bhavan and the CM’s residence against violence by militants, including drone bombings and the first reported rocket attacks in the region.
Biren Singh’s second meeting with the governor in 24 hours followed six more deaths in multiple instances of ethnic violence in Jiribam district Saturday. The toll in the rash of attacks since Sept 1 stands at nine.
Sources said the BJP-led govt’s memo likely contains a demand echoed by organisations in the valley – that the CM be given the reins of the unified command structure for law and order. The unified command, which coordinates between central and state forces, is currently headed by former CRPF DG Kuldiep Singh, whom the Centre deputed to the state last year as security adviser to the govt.
While the CM’s memo presumably seeks the revocation of the pact for suspension of operations against tribal armed outfits, the Kuki Students’ Organisation issued a statement demanding a ban on Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun, both based in the valley. “Immediately designate these groups as terrorists and ban their activities to prevent further violence against the Kuki-Zo people,” it said. Amid escalating violence, Assam Rifles deployed anti-drone systems to stave of potential aerial attacks by militants. CRPF tested a similar anti-drone system before deployment.
The family of a civilian victim in a drone and RPG attack on Koutruk village in Imphal West district on Sept 1, Ngangbam Surbala Devi, received ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh from the state govt. Representatives of a joint action committee had met CM Biren Singh at the secretariat to seek adequate compensation. “While no financial assistance can truly compensate for the life lost, it is our responsibility to stand by the affected families and offer them support in these difficult times,” the CM wrote on X.