Amid rising violence in Manipur, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba accused foreign-backed narco-terrorists of destabilizing the region. He urged the central government to act decisively, protect national highways, and expedite the completion of crucial infrastructure projects.
BY PC Bureau
Amid the ongoing turmoil in Manipur, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba delivered an impassioned speech in the Upper House, highlighting the state’s deepening crisis and calling for decisive action from the central government. The MP urged the government to accelerate the long-pending railway connection from Jiribam to the state capital, Imphal, emphasizing the critical need to restore normalcy and ensure the state’s connectivity and development.
Sanajaoba expressed grave concern over the persistent violence and instability in Manipur, including incidents of abduction, extortion, and attacks on innocent civilians along national highways. “In spite of the state and central governments’ efforts to curb the situation, firing, killings, and abduction continue unabated,” he said.
The MP also pointed to the loss of lives among security personnel, stating, “Many jawans have become martyrs, and many others are injured at the hands of illegal immigrants.”
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The speech took a sharp tone as Sanajaoba accused what he termed “foreign narco-terrorists and separatists” of waging war against the nation with the support of external forces. He urged the government to act with an “iron hand” against these groups, whom he blamed for exacerbating the violence and destabilizing the state.
Hon’ble MP Eningthou Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba highlights key issues in Parliament:
Fast-track Khongsang-Imphal railway by 2025 Act against narco-terrorists & illegal killings
Control rising prices & high airfares
Tackle extortion & violence
Eningthou na yaiphare! #Manipur pic.twitter.com/Yx4uFFRvrp— SoniaMaisnam (@MaisnaSonia) February 3, 2025
Sanajaoba also framed the completion of the Jiribam-Imphal railway line as a vital national project. “The government must prioritize the railway line, aiming to complete it by 2025 or even earlier,” he stressed, linking infrastructure development to broader efforts to bring stability to the region.
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Background: Anti-Poppy Drive and Its Fallout
The MP’s speech comes against the backdrop of the state’s recent crackdown on poppy cultivation, which has emerged as a contentious issue. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has championed the anti-poppy campaign as a fight against drug trafficking and narco-terrorism, garnering support from the majority Meitei community. However, the campaign has also drawn criticism for allegedly targeting Kuki-Zo tribal areas, with some viewing it as an attempt to marginalize these communities further.
The Manipur government’s narrative ties poppy cultivation to illegal immigration and drug syndicates allegedly operating from tribal-dominated hill areas. This narrative, amplified by sections of the Meitei community, has fueled ethnic tensions in the state. Critics argue that such rhetoric risks deepening divisions between the Meitei majority and Kuki-Zo communities, who have long contested land rights and governance issues.
Political Ramifications
Sanajaoba’s remarks reflect broader political and social currents in Manipur, where the state government has often been accused of backing the interests of the Meitei majority. His call for strong action against “foreign hands” echoes the Chief Minister’s stance on addressing the drug menace and combating insurgency
