Kangpokpi: BJP Govt debars Cong team from visiting displaced people
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, May 19 2023:
Alleging that the State's BJP Government debarred a Congress fact finding team from visiting displaced people, the District Congress Committee, Sadar Hills has vehemently condemned the alleged insensitivity of the State Government.
Mentioned may be made that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge constituted a three-member fact-finding team to ascertain the causes of widespread violence in Manipur and evaluate its extent.
The three-member team includes AICC General Secretary MP Mukul Wasnik, former MP Ajoy Kumar and party MLA Sudip Roy Barman.
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee vice president Dr Lamtinthang Haokip while briefing the media at Kangpokpi said that the decision of the BJP Government to prevent the visit of the AICC fact-finding team to internally displaced people both in the hills and valley on May 18 displayed a blatant disregard for transparency, accountability, and welfare of the citizens of Manipur.
Strongly condemning the alleged "insensitivity" of the State Government, Dr Haokip said that the purpose of a fact-finding team is to independently assess and investigate situations that demand urgent attention while adding that their presence ensures an impartial evaluation of the situation, which is crucial in promoting justice and ensuring the protection of human rights.
He also said that the role of a fact-finding team is even more critical and necessary in times of crisis like this and the people affected by this violence and ensuing circumstances have the right to have their voices heard, and it is the duty of the Government to facilitate a fair and transparent assessment of the ground situation.
He then said that the State Government has hindered justice and obstructed the path to truth by preventing the Central fact-finding team from conducting their investigation.
He continued that the decision to debar the fact-finding team sent a distressing message to the citizens of Manipur and the Nation as a whole while adding that it also created an environment of suspicion, secrecy and lack of accountability.
The State Government must recognize that transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of a functioning democracy and any attempts to suppress or hinder them will only further erode people's confidence, he asserted.
"We call upon the State Government to reconsider its decision and immediately allow the Central fact-finding team access to all relief camps in the hills and the valley", he further added.
The MPCC vice president also said that it is imperative that any Central team from different political parties be granted the necessary support, resources, and cooperation to carry out their duties effectively while adding that the truth and justice demanded by the affected citizens cannot be compromised or suppressed for political expediency or any other reasons.
The District Congress Committee Sadar Hills urged the Central Government and relevant National and international organizations to take cognizance of this alarming situation and intervene to ensure that the rights of the citizens of Manipur are protected as per the law of the land.