General (Retd.) Manoj Mukund Narvane also flagged Chinese aid to various insurgent groups saying that they have been helping them for years and they will continue.
NEW DELHI — Involvement of foreign agencies in the Manipur violence ‘cannot be ruled out,’ says former Army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane
Interacting with media persons on ‘National Security Perspective’ at a function at the India International Centre here on Saturday, the former army chief said if there was instability, not only in our neighbouring country but in our border state, then that instability is bad for our overall national security.
General (Retd.) Narvane also flagged Chinese aid to various insurgent groups saying that they have been helping them for years and they will continue.
Responding to a question about Manipur violence, he said: “Coming on to Manipur, I had said right in the beginning that internal security is very important. If there is instability not only in our neighbouring country but in our border state, then that instability is bad for our overall national security.”
“I am sure that those who are in the chair and responsible for taking actions due to be taken are doing their best. We should avoid second-guessing. The person on the ground knows best what is to be done,” the former army chief said.
“Definitely, instability does not help us in the overall national security construct and the involvement of foreign agencies, not only I say, cannot be ruled out,” he asserted.
“But I will say it (involvement of foreign agencies) is definitely there, especially Chinese aid to various insurgent groups, they have been helping them for so many years. They will continue, I believe,” he added.
Since the violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, hundreds of people have died and thousands have been forced to take refuge in relief camps. — IANS
