The Central Government insensitive to Manipur issue – may cause a major problem for India
Balaji Reddy, Special Correspondent
September 09, 2004 

Recent fiasco by the home minister Shivraj Patil of Congress led UPA further shows the inability of the Indian Central Government to successfully Govern the smaller and non-mainstream states of India. India needs a different form of Government. Such central bureaucratic power with no sensitivity to local issue is creating revolts among all people in India. It is becoming extremely difficult for the Indian Army to handle Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalay, Assam, Tripura and many other non-mainstream states Governed by India. The population in these states is increasingly disliking the typical North or South Indian politicians dictating their lives without any sensitivity to there needs and lives. It is time for India to provide autonomy to states and decentralize the Government. 

Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil came to soothe passions in Manipur, but has sparked a bitter row with the region heading for a bout of fresh turmoil and anarchy. The home minister late on Sunday enraged the protest groups that have been demanding the withdrawal of an anti-terror law from the state by reportedly refusing to discuss the issue. "We held an hour-long meeting with the home minister and he refused to even discuss the issue of lifting the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. If he had no option or solution, why did he visit Manipur and call us for talks?" said Apunba Lup spokesman Shiva Dutta. The Apunba Lup, an apex body of 32 organizations, is spearheading protests in Manipur to demand the withdrawal of the act, which gives sweeping powers to the military to shoot on sight and arrest anybody without a warrant. The state has been hit by a wave of protests against the terror law since July 11, when a 32-year-old woman died in military custody allegedly after being raped. Protestors are also demanding the withdrawal of the Assam Rifles regiment it claims was behind the rape and murder of Thangjam Manorama. After the failed talks, the protest groups on Monday announced a chain of agitation programs.