Imphal: A silent sit-in protest was held today at Keishampat in Imphal West, organised by Taragi Cheisu, a coalition of senior citizens and other organisations, to condemn the recent killing of children and a woman in Jiribam district.
The peaceful demonstration aimed to highlight the ongoing violence in Manipur and urge authorities to take decisive and strategic action. Speaking at the event, retired police officer Thangjam Brojen underscored that merely increasing the deployment of central forces would not resolve the situation. “The effectiveness of these forces hinges on how strategically they are utilised,” he stated.
Brojen expressed deep concern over the deteriorating moral and ethical values and the weakening of state institutions. He appealed to authorities to reestablish control and work urgently to restore peace. “State control must be reasserted to contain the violence at the earliest,” he urged.
In response to media questions about the deployment of additional central forces, Brojen criticised the absence of a comprehensive plan to use these forces effectively. He highlighted the lack of a cohesive strategy to curb the violence, questioning the utility of increasing personnel without clear objectives.
Brojen also commented on the reimposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police stations. While acknowledging that AFSPA had already been in effect in other parts of the state, he pointed out that it had not resolved the ongoing crisis. He advocated for alternative approaches, emphasizing the importance of well-thought-out policies and programmes to address the root causes of the conflict without relying on AFSPA.
The protest at Keishampat reflects a growing demand among citizens for accountability and meaningful intervention from the state and central governments, as the violence in Manipur continues to disrupt lives and undermine stability.