Imphal July 6 (IANS): The Union Home Ministry has sought a report from the Manipur government on the recent killings of former insurgents in the state who had joined the national mainstream.
According to informed sources, the central government is concerned that these killings may derail the peace process in the state. In the latest incident, Hmar National Army Chairman Lalthanshang Hmar was gunned down on Tuesday in Churachandpur. On April 21, former PREPAK Chairman Ningombam Nabachandra and his driver were shot dead in their 'safe house' inside the camp of 7 Manipur Rifles in Imphal East.
Some other former insurgents also had been gunned down in separate incidents. With such killings on the rise, at least one militant outfit in Imphal West district has taken up arms once again, even though it had suspended operations. Police sources said the development has vindicated groups that did not suspend their operations.
The peace process in Manipur began in May 2000 when the army reached an agreement on suspension of operations with some tribal outfits. However, the state government remained non-committal, observers here pointed out.
Despite the agreement, police and paramilitary forces continued to arrest and kill some of the former insurgents. It was then that the Union home ministry stepped in. Eventually, another agreement was signed in August 2008 -- this time taking the Manipur government into confidence.
But some leaders of these outfits are not happy because of the meagre stipend they get. Moreover, no political dialogue has been initiated for a settlement. The former insurgents, who have been disarmed, are also in constant fear of being killed.
