Manipur continues to remain tense, fresh firing reported overnight

The situation in Manipur continues to be extremely tense 25 days after violence between two communities broke out on May 3.
Casualties are feared as bursts of heavy gunfire continued yesterday in parts of the state.

Shootouts were reported overnight in Kangpokpi district. This came after heavy firing was witnessed in the Churachandpur – Bishnupur bordering areas yesterday. Several people have been injured, sources said.

Several questions arise- has the Manipur government actually failed to control or diffuse the crisis even after the deployment of 35,000 central forces? What does it reflect when such gun battles are taking place at a time when the Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande and the Union Minister of State for Home Nityananda Rai are themselves present in Manipur?

Since N Biren Singh’s appeal for peace has not been heeded by the concerned people so far, will the chief minister come up with his road map for restoring normality in Manipur? Or is Biren Singh and his government waiting for Union Home Minister Amit Shah to arrive tomorrow and set the house in order?

Two days ago Biren Singh said what most people know, that Amit Shah is a capable leader. But what does The Biren Singh government have by way of a formula to resolve the crisis and restore normality in Manipur? One will have to wait and watch.