Imphal, April 15: In the evening of his long illustrious political career, veteran Congress man Rishang Keishing wishes to do something concrete to restore law and order in the State and make Manipur peaceful.

Now 88, the next six years as the lone MP of Manipur in the Rajya Sabha may be the last innings of Rishang Keishing in his long sojourn in the topsy tursy world of politics.

Interacting with The Sangai Express at his Mantripukhri residence yesterday, the former Chief Minister noted that the demands of some of the insurgent groups are very clear and loud.

As they are demanding separation of Manipur from the Indian Union, it is the responsibility of the Government of India, not the State Government, to tackle the issue, he observed.

However, the activities of some insurgent groups have been causing serious disturbance to the law and order situation in the State.

Such disruptive activities should be controlled by the State Government, he stated.

Observing that though India is a fast developing country, Rishang lamented that the people of Manipur, despite being a part of the country, are unable to reap any benefit or see any developmental change in their individual or social lives due to the existing law and order situation.

The people of Manipur are suffering and living in the most pitiable condition.

If the same situation persists, it will only lead to greater misery and a point will be reached from where the people would not be able to extricate themselves, cautioned the MP.

Stating that it is the foremost responsibility of the Government to bring a solution to the anarchic situation, he stressed on the need of the State Government to work sincerely.

To bring a solution, it is the duty of the Government to find out a path acceptable to all contending parties.

If the State Government feels it is beyond their capacity to find an amicable solution, they should frankly put their case to the Government of India very clearly, he opined.

It will be impossible to bring a solution to the present impasse by taking up half-baked measures on adhoc basis from time to time, he observed.

The failure of the State Government to take up any follow-up action after the arrest of UG cadres and seizure of arms from the official quarters of MLAs and Ministers at Babupara only confirmed that the incumbent Government has utterly failed in its duty, the MP asserted.

He observed that the Government of India may solve the insurgency problem in Manipur in two ways.

The Government of India may grant 'special concession' or 'maximum concession' and settle the issue through political dialogue with the insurgent groups.

As for other groups refusing to respond to such gesture, the Government of India may take up some 'specific measures' to finish off the rebels, the veteran Congress leader elaborated.

Observing that the people have been reeling under extreme hardships because of the insurgency movement, he alleged that the demand which has remained elusive for the last 50 years or so need not be pursued any further.

Rishang said that he would urge the Central Government for a workable solution to the insurgency problem in Manipur during the next six years as the lone Rajya MP from the State.

Informing that a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Home Ministry was held recently with a number of MPs, he conveyed that the Home Ministry report which was discussed in the meeting had said that Somtal area has been cleared of insurgents.

During the interaction, Rishang Keishing stated that insurgents flushed out from New Somtal area have moved to Ukhrul district leading to serious apprehension of the people of the district.

Pointing out that the demands of the insurgent groups operating in the North East region including Manipur are separation from the Indian Union, Rishang while asserting that it is the responsibility of the Government of India to tackle with such insurgents, asked the Home Ministry officials how they are dealing with the issue.

The octogenarian pledged that he would urge the Centre to bring an amicable solution to the issue and study if it is possible root out all the rebels if they think it is impossible to work out a solution with the insurgent groups demanding separation of Manipur from the Indian Union.

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