‘Don’t Blame Govt If…’: Manipur CM Biren Singh Warns Armed And Non-Armed Groups Extorting Illegal Taxes

Manipur CM N Biren Singh urged truck drivers transporting essential goods to continue operating on the national highways connecting Manipur with the rest of the country despite extortion.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh issued a warning on Friday stating that his government may be forced to reassess the state's law and order situation if both “armed and non-armed” groups continue extorting illegal taxes from transporters, petrol pumps, and businesses. According to PTI, Singh stated that the Centre had imposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) when there was a sharp rise in "such activities", adding that the government should not be blamed if such a situation arises again.

The AFSPA has been in force in the entire Manipur except the Imphal municipality area since 2004. Fifteen police station areas of 6 districts were cut out from the disturbed area notification came into effect from April 1, 2022.

Amid the current situation, Singh urged truck drivers transporting essential goods to continue operating on the national highways connecting Manipur with the rest of the country. For several months, various groups have been extorting money, particularly from truck drivers entering the state.

'Do Not Blame Government If Earlier Situation Returns': N Biren Singh

"A new culture of imposing taxes by armed and non-armed groups has developed. Oil pumps and business establishments have been severely affected. Once, due to a sharp rise in such activities, the Centre had imposed AFSPA. Seeing the evolving current situation, there is a possibility of the cabinet reviewing the law and order situation in the state," Singh said.

He added while replying during a calling attention motion by Congress MLA K Meghachandra that If such a situation remains unresolved, the public cannot live. “Do not blame the government if the earlier situation returns. If oil pumps, business establishments and every section of society continues to be disturbed, we may have to seek alternative means," Singh said without mentioning what steps his government might take.

Addressing the challenges faced by drivers on the national highways, Singh said, "Maximum security will be provided along the highways to ensure undisturbed flow of trucks and transporters. A DIG-level official has been assigned to look after the Imphal-Silchar highway as a special task."

In response to a query, He revealed that a total of 11,892 cases have been registered related to the ethnic violence outbreak since May of the previous year. Ethnic clashes which began in May 2023 have resulted in deaths of 226 and left over 59,000 people displaced, officials said.