CENTRALISATION FORMER ARMY CHIEF CALLS FOR GOVERNOR'S RULE IN MANIPUR

NEW DELHI As the situation continues to deteriorate in Manipur, with the ongoing state of violence signalling towards the failure of the elected government in handling the situation, Former Army Chief General Ved Prakash Malik, who had served as the Chief of Army Staff during the Kargil War in 1999, said, "The time has come to bring in a change of guard in Manipur.

- SAURABH SHARMA

" The former Army chief, who had extensive experience in the Northeast during his service days emphasised, "We should have the President's rule under Article 356.

The time has come to establish Governor's rule with an effective unified command under him." Here are the excerpts from the interview Q: What is your assessment on the ongoing ethnic turbulence in Manipur? How do you see it? A: It has been about 17-18 months and the violence continues. It's an extremely tragic situation in Manipur as of now. All the tribes are fighting with each other, but particularly the conflict is between Kukis and Meiteis. My feeling is that the current elected government has not been able to control the situation, therefore, the violence has increased. So many people have died, their houses have been damaged, and they are forced to live in shelter homes.

Therefore, I think that it is high time now that we should have the President's rule under Article 356. This would enable a more effective unified command, under which all paramilitary forces, local police, Assam Rifles, and, if need be, the army, would come together.