Northeast Desk, 4th September: Manipur MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh has urged the government to declare the Indigenous Tribal Leader’s Forum (ITLF) as a banned organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. This call comes in response to allegations that the ITLF has been procuring lethal drones, arms, and ammunition, including bombs, to target innocent civilians.
Singh expressed grave concerns about the involvement of highly trained professionals and experts, questioning the identities of those carrying ITLF IDs and those allegedly training individuals to attack civilians. He emphasized that under Indian law, both individuals and organizations engaged in spreading terror can be banned.
The MLA called on Manipur Police to conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations and to arrest those responsible. He characterized the situation not merely as an ethnic conflict but as an act of terror and war against India and the people of Manipur.
Earlier, on September 2, Singh wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing deep concern over the ongoing violence in Manipur. He highlighted that acts of terror by illegal armed militants and terrorists have resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including an innocent woman, as well as injuries to children and security forces. He stressed that these acts of violence are not just ethnic conflicts but are perpetrated by illegal armed groups against the state.
Singh pointed out that the conflict has been ongoing for over 15 months, with violence escalating to drone attacks and shelling, despite efforts to engage in political dialogue for a peaceful resolution.