9th session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly begins
16 MLAs of the ruling party absent without informing the house
Source: IT News

Imphal, December 18 2019: The first day of the 9 session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which begins today shattered hopes of the people of Manipur, as 16 MLAs of the ruling BJP led government including the Chief Whip MLA P.Sharat did not attend the sitting without giving prior information to the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The session though not emergency or special, have been a demand of the people in the aftermath of the passing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 as well as the extension of the Inner Line Permit under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 .

Another 3 members including two from the ruling and one from the opposition too were absent; however, Speaker of the house announced that MLA Ginsuan of the ruling and MLA Korungthang of the opposition had applied leave application.

Leader of the house, who is also the Chief Minister, N.Biren Singh said that Agriculture Minister V.Hangkhalian has been at Delhi on Government related important issue.

The proceeding of the house was however not disturbed as member present is 40 plus.

Reason for the absence of the 16 members including the Deputy Speaker has not been known.

These members had not officially announced any reason neither they put any demand officially through newspaper about the reason for their absence.

However, source said that the 16 members stay away from the session demanding reshuffle of Ministry.

The source also added that the MLAs are camping at Hotel Classic when issues about the implementation of Inner Line Permit and Price hike of essential commodities has been brought up as calling attention motion in the house.

Former legislature Okram Joy while talking to Imphal Times said that such large number of absence during an important session will be surely questioned by the people.

"People will surely question on the solidarity of the MLAs to the temple of Democracy, they will asked about the responsibility and dignities of the state Assembly.

It may be mentioned that civil society bodies of the state including COCOMI and other political parties including the opposition party Congress has been demanding a special or emergency assembly session to take resolutions for protection of the boundary, identity and administration of the state in the wake of the final settlement of the Naga Settlement.

People also expect a collective decision of the state assembly in connection with the development arises after amended citizenship act.

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