Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 11:
Reacting to the reported comments of manipur Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee general secretary O Muhini, Chanura Marup Manipur People�s party cautioned the former against aggravating the already tense situation through misleading and concocted allegations.
The MPP had been making its stance clear of staunch opposition to prolonging Armed Force Special Powers Act 1958 in Manipur and blatant press statement accusing the MPP of not initiating any concrete move to repeal the Act would be a futile exercise as the people already know efforts of MPP in the past and at present to remove AFSPA.
Unlike the State unit of the Congress party whose members are endorsing the reluctance of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to address the people�s grievances all MPP members would have resigned en-masse had its leader taken similar stand as Ibobi, asserted a Chanura Marup statement issued by its president G Gunabati Devi.
The Congress party which is a national political party and at the helm of affairs in the Centre should not have delayed to take a definite decision in sync with the sentiment of the people if they harbour any goodwill for the masses, further contended the Chanura Marup.
AFSPA was extended throughout Manipur during subsequent stint of Congress party whereas MPP leader O Joy had issued strict instructions to security force personnel against excesses upon the people in the name of containing insurgency problem.
It is an undeniable fact that during the stint of MPP�s participation of in Government formation O Joy as Law Minister not only ensured safety of the common people but records vividly establishes that no atrocities was committed against the people, contended the MPP women wing.
Moreover, that Government also declared unilateral ceasefire with all underground outfit so as to facilitate restoration of law and order, it added.
On mere assumption that the non-Congress Government of that time could not remove AFSPA from Manipur should not be basis of the present Congress led coalition as the law and order situation has plummeted to an abysmal level and enough killing have been witnessed by the people during the short tenure of the SPF Government, the Marup charged.
Gunabati further maintained that Muhini need to assess who and which party is responsible to introduction of the repre- ssive act in Manipur under which the people have suffered unaccountable miseries.
It further asserted that notwithstanding political party affiliation need of the hour is to endorse and join the ongoing mass movement for withdrawal of AFSPA from Manipur, punishment of Thangjam Manorama�s killers and shifting of Assam Rifles from Kangla.