Shutdown and Tension in Manipur: Employees Face Repercussions for Failing to Report to Work; Rahul Gandhi States—BJP Responsible for the Unrest

Amidst the ongoing shutdown and tense situation in Manipur, the state government has adopted a strict stance regarding the absenteeism of government employees. The government has clarified that departmental action will be initiated against employees who remain absent from their offices without obtaining prior leave permission.

Issuing an order on Sunday, Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel directed all Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, and District Officials to ensure the attendance of employees in government offices, notwithstanding the shutdown calls issued by various organizations.

What did the Government say?

The government has mandated that every department must submit a daily attendance report to its respective administrative department. If any employee is found absent from duty without sanctioned leave, disciplinary action must be initiated against them in accordance with the rules. Additionally, all Deputy Commissioners have been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the normal functioning of government offices within their respective districts.

This order has been issued in light of the five-day shutdown that commenced on April 19. This shutdown has been called by Meira Paibi organizations across five districts of the valley region. They are protesting against the deaths of two children in a bomb attack that took place in Tronglaobi on April 7. The districts affected by the shutdown include Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Tengnoupal.

Three-Day Shutdown Announced in Naga-Dominated Areas

Meanwhile, the United Naga Council has announced a three-day shutdown in Naga-dominated areas, effective from Monday. This shutdown has been called to protest the killing of two civilians in an ambush attack carried out in the Ukhrul district on April 18.

Home Minister Appeals for Withdrawal of Shutdown

State Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam appealed for the withdrawal of the shutdown, stating that the government has held discussions with the Joint Action Committee (JAC) associated with the Tronglaobi incident, and their demands have been deliberated upon.

He emphasized that the general public is bearing the brunt of these continuous shutdowns. Children’s education is being disrupted, the livelihoods of daily-wage earners are being adversely affected, and farmers and traders are also facing distress. Under these circumstances, all organizations should call off the shutdown in the interest of the public.

Rahul Gandhi Attacks BJP

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP government over the violence in Manipur. While addressing a rally in Colachel, in Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari district, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the BJP has plunged Manipur into the fire. He stated that Manipur was once a peaceful state, but now hundreds of lives have been lost there, and a situation akin to a civil war continues to prevail. Rahul Gandhi held the ruling party responsible for the ongoing tension in the state.

The Congress leader asserted that the government has failed to prevent the conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur. Rahul Gandhi’s statement comes at a time when tensions have recently flared up once again in Manipur. The atmosphere in the state has become heated once more following the deaths of a five-year-old child and his five-month-old sister in an insurgent attack in the Tronglaobi area.