Imphal: The CPI, a constituent of the ruling Congress-led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government in Manipur, today blamed its major coalition partner for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

The CPI said the situation arising out of insurgency related violence was slowly slipping out of control. Urging the Congress to work with its partners for an improvement in the situation, CPI state secretary B Sharma told newspersons that the government had failed to maintain law and order and that there was no security for citizens, adding that bomb attacks and shootings were taking place frequently.

Sharma said merely preaching peace was not sufficient and accused the government of not initiating negotiation with insurgent groups. Attacking the SPF leadership, he said it was time that those who could help in restoring normalcy in the state be at the helm of affairs. The CPI state secretary also stressed the need for launching a mass movement against violence among the public saying that mere intermittent protests and dharnas were not enough now.

He said the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in the state be removed without delay. Sharma said the degree of lawlessness despite the law showed that it was now useless.

Source : PTI