Imphal, February 12 MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam of Manipur said on Thursday that those involved in armed attacks and unrest in the state must be dealt with strictly under the law, amidst incidents of violence in the Ukhrul district.
Speaking at a public meeting in Keishamthong, the Congress MP stressed the need for dialogue while cautioning against normalising the display of weapons.
"We need dialogue and must identify those who are against talks. Everyone has political grievances. The act of roaming with arms openly should not be normalised and legal action must be taken," Akoijam said.
His remarks came in the wake of incidents of firing and arson in the violence-hit village of Litan in the Ukhrul district after a 24-hour lull on Thursday morning.
"A few rounds of gunfire have been heard in the area. Gunshots were fired from both sides. Miscreants have also burnt a few houses in the area," officials said.
Akoijam termed the renewed violence as "very alarming" and alleged that disturbances at various levels could be driven by hidden agendas.
He also stressed that political demands should not be pursued along communal lines.
"If such demands continue on a communal basis, it will affect not only Manipur but India as a whole," he said.
Referring to the violence in the Ukhrul district, the MP asserted that "those involved in armed attacks and unrest must be dealt with strictly under the law" and emphasised that the crisis cannot be resolved merely at the community level but requires firm legal intervention by the state.
Akoijam said if the state government fails to control the situation, the Centre may have to step in, but cautioned that any de facto control by the Union government would weaken the constitutional authority of the state government.