Mumbai, October 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has criticised the Centre over its handling of the ongoing violence in Manipur, questioning its priorities in an editorial published in the party mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’.
The editorial drew a contrast between the extensive security arrangements deployed to contain political protests in New Delhi and the continuing ethnic violence in Manipur. It accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government of turning parts of the national capital into a heavily barricaded security zone while failing to restore lasting peace in the northeastern state.
Referring to the state of affairs in Manipur, the editorial noted that despite a “double-engine” government at the Centre and in the state, peace remained elusive. It said the ethnic conflict involving the Meitei, Kuki and Naga communities, which escalated amid disputes over Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, had claimed more than 350 lives over the past three years.
The editorial further claimed that violence had intensified again, with 60 people reportedly killed over the preceding six months and at least 23 fatal attacks recorded during a recent 20-day period.
Citing a recent incident in the Sunulok region, the editorial said an armed group opened fire on 14 Meitei civilians who had gone into a forest to collect firewood, killing three of them. Following the incident, protesters reportedly placed the body of a slain youth outside the residence of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh in Imphal to demonstrate their anger over the administration’s inability to protect residents.
The editorial also highlighted the plight of displaced people living in relief camps.
“Thousands of displaced Manipuris continue to languish in overcrowded, substandard government relief camps, trapped in constant fear for their lives. Heavy security forces are deployed, yet armed groups clash at will with assault weapons. Sending security contingents is treated as the end of the government’s duty, while grassroots trust-building remains entirely missing,” it said.
The Thackeray-led party alleged that the government had mobilised extensive security resources in Delhi to contain anti-government demonstrations, deploying barricades and heavy security to maintain order in the capital. In contrast, it argued, security arrangements in Manipur’s hills and forested areas had failed to prevent recurring arson, killings and attacks by armed groups.
The editorial also questioned the impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Manipur, arguing that it had not resulted in lasting changes on the ground.
Criticising the Centre’s approach, it summed up its allegation in the words: “Let Manipur burn, but Delhi must be saved, and the government must survive.”
Concluding its editorial, the Shiv Sena (UBT) questioned whether Manipur was receiving the same attention and security resources as the national capital.
“Is Manipur not a part of India just like Delhi? While the government deploys massive strength in Delhi, why is the same force not applied to Manipur? Manipur is burning over and over again. Who will stop this inferno?” the editorial asked.
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, in Saamana, criticises the Centre over Manipur violence and questions its security priorities compared with Delhi.){kind=link}