Bodies, JDU-U demand resignation of MLAs, CM
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 26 2023:
Six student bodies namely MSF, DESAM, KSA, SUK, AIMS and another organisation as well as a women's organisation and Janata Dal-Uniteddemanded resignation of the MLAs if they feel hapless to ease inconveniences faced by the people and contained the restive situation.
In a joint release, the student bod-ies also contended that failure to control armed Kuki militants from attacking innocent displaced victims testifies lack of commitment on the part of the central government to effectively deal with the situation.
Questioning whether deployment of large numbers of security forces is to protect the Kuki armed militants, the release expressed apprehension whether such deployment is to aid in attacking the Meiteis, especially those in the foothills who are left with no choice but to protect by themselves.
In such a challenging situation, silence of the MLAs and ministers is unfortunate, it said.
Apunba Keithel Sinnaibi Lup, Kangleipak (AKSIL) also demanded resignation of the non-Kuki 50 MLAs if they are not in a position to protect the territory and unity of Manipur.
In a release, AKSIL general secretary Konthoujam Pra-va condemned attacks on Meiteis and burning of their houses and temples.
Taking advantage of the restive sit-uation, 10 Kuki MLAs raised the demand for separate ad-ministration with the ulti-mate objective to balkanise Manipur on ethnic lines, the secretary opined while remarking that the future generation will forgive the 50 MLAs if they resign con-sidering that they could not protect the lives and territory of Manipur.
Meanwhile, demanding resignation of chief min-ister N Biren Singh to pave the way for restoring peace and normalcy in the state, Janata Dal-United (1D11) Ma-nipur contended Union home minister Amit Shah's visit to Manipur from May 29 would not be fruitful.
Addressing media persons at JDU's Palace Compound office, spokesperson Samuel Jendai said there would be no solution to the ongoing violence other than resig-nation of chief minister N Biren Singh.
He said that 10 Kuki MLAs' assertion not to negotiate with CM N Biren itself is a hindrance to return of peace and normalcy and there is no other option than removing N Biren Singh from CM post to bring back peace in the state.
He also said that a memorandum in this regard will be submitted to Union home minister Amit Shah when he reaches the state.
JDU spokesperson Nimai-chand Luwang, whralso at-tended the press conference, said Amit Shah is scheduled to visit the state from May 29 but his visit is too late and untimely and accordingly would not be fruitful.
He said that seven out of the 10 Kuki MLAs demanding separate administration belong to BJP but the state's DIP head and chief minister could not ut-ter a single word against the demand.
According to Nimaichand, there was report of arrest of some people involved in vio-lence on May 3 by state police and they are suspected to be Kuki militants under SoO.
However, the arrested per-sons were released after BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra visited the state.
If this report is true, it is question-able if Manipur government is under Sambit Patra or in the hands of CM Biren, he said adding that Saikot MLA Paolienlal Haokip's interview to a news channel is evidence of the report.
Raising strong objection against silence of the remain-ing MLAs even after 10 Kuki MLAs are openly trying to disintegrate Manipur, Meitei Leisha Kariba Lup has served ultimatum of two days to all the MLAs to declare their stands failing which they will be regarded as proponents of Kuki aggression.
Addressing the media at Sun Club premises at Mong-sangei, Imphal West on Friday Lup co-convenor Soraisam Surendra Chenglei said that the ongoing violence in the state is 'Kuki Aggression'.
It is a deliberate plot to weaken the majority com-munity Meetei so that they could suppress the smaller community to achieve their homeland demand.
He said that the Kuki-Chin illegal mi-grants carried out the attack on Meetei in a well-planned and well-coordinated man-ner.
However, their demand for a Kukiland or a homeland will never realise, he said while likening their movement to daydreaming.
The co-convenor also ve-hemently condemned the armed attacks on Meetei civilians by Kuki militants while asserting that the vi-olence is not only a challenge to the integrity of Manipur but also a threat to the na-tional security as they are getting direct support from drug mans and drug cartels.
He then dismissed the 'improving law and order situation' remarked made by state security advisor Kuld-iep Singh and also strong-ly decried silence of Prime Minister Narendra Moth amid violent attacks by the armed Kuki militants.
Maintaining that the state security advisor has failed to uphold law and order situa-tion in the state even after nearly one month, Suren-dra Chenglei demanded the government to empower the state's security forces to con-trol the violence that has been continuing in the foothill ar-eas.
He also demanded a high level enquiry commission headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge to ascertain the facts and reasons behind the violence.