Guwahati: Manipur Congress president Okram Ibobi Singh on Saturday accused the state and central govts of remaining “silent spectators” to the series of civilian killings in the state.Addressing the media, the former three-time chief minister said, “We are even embarrassed to speak about the prevailing law and order situation. The government is behaving as if it is not concerned about the killings of civilians of any community.”“We strongly condemn the killings of innocent civilians from Naga, Kuki and Meitei communities. Such killings should not be viewed as entertainment. The state and central governments are viewing the killings in the state as silent spectators,” he said.Reacting to Thursday’s Pilong killings, Ibobi questioned the security arrangements along Manipur’s border with Myanmar: “Who is guarding the porous border areas in the state?”He also criticised the state govt’s handling of the crisis at the Centre, saying, “If the state government is unable to convey the prevailing situation to the Centre, what is the point of having a state government?”Expressing doubt over the prospects of reconciliation, Ibobi said, “We don’t believe peace and mutual trust among communities will be restored as long as the present Centre and state government are there.” He further questioned what concrete measures the govt had taken beyond issuing condemnations following the deaths.Expressing doubt over the prospects of reconciliation, Ibobi said, “We don’t believe peace and mutual trust among communities will be restored as long as the present Centre and state government are there.” He further questioned what concrete measures the government had taken beyond issuing condemnations following the deaths.
