Imphal: Manipur government on Monday strongly condemned the so-called report of ‘fact finding mission’ prepared by a three-member team of Editors Guild of India (EGI) and their comments on Manipur violence, asserting that the guild has no locus standi if it doesn’t know anything related to the current Manipur turmoil.
In a sharp reaction to their unsolicited conclusion that Manipur government and its machinery especially police force were largely one sided and Meira Paibis were “cheerleaders of the violent mobs attacking Kuki houses”, chief minister N Biren Singh said any attempt of targeting particular community without fully aware of ground reality and genesis of the violent clashes, by a prestigious institution like EGI was unacceptable and shameful.
The EGI has lost its credibility by taking a blatantly partisan and factually incorrect approach to issues. “We don’t know to whom they approached and how they came to the conclusion that the state government was one-sided,” the CM said while briefing reporters here.
If the EGI wanted to see all the documents and how the violence started, his government could provide all proof, videos and evidence, Biren said adding “ the EGI, unfortunately, didn’t do that and instead their statement appeared to be copied exactly what some Kuki leaders said earlier.
Biren acknowledged that 413 houses, which were illegally constructed inside the Reserve Forest, were removed by his government.
Of them, 59 belonged to Kukis, 143 (Meitei), 137 (Meitei Pangal/Muslims), 38 (Naga) and 36 (Nepali) houses .
Unfortunately, the EGI had even no comprehension of the Reserve Forest Act, which is actually an act that can be passed by the Parliament only. The action of the state government was to safeguard and protect the forest and its people, he added.
We don’t welcome such people and organisations like EGI which spew venom and pour more oil into the fire, Biren contended and added that a police FIR has already been lodged against the EGI members.
