Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed dissatisfaction over how the Central forces are handling the present crisis in the state. The CM was speaking at the 52nd Statehood Day observance held on Sunday at the 1st Manipur Rifles battalion parade ground in Imphal. Manipur, a princely state merged into India in 1949, was granted statehood in 1972. He said the role of central forces extends beyond observation to the protection of lives and property. They are in the state to help contain the violence and not to simply watch and observe, he added. “You (Central forces) are not invited to observe what is going on. You are invited to protect the integrity of the state and life and properties of the innocent people. We are Indians,” the CM said. Singh warned those challenging Manipur’s unity and integrity, saying they should know that the state’s indigenous people would unite to meet any such challenge.
