Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 18 2009:
As many as 28 Manipuri natives, scattered across the country and abroad, including IT professionals, scholars and students have jointly written to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh urging for imposition of President's Rule (short term) in the State as well as resignation of the Chief Minister on moral ground.
Giving a break up of the people killed, including civilians, UGs and security forces from 1996 till August 17 of 2009, the representation said that in all 4561 people have been killed in this period.
The statistics say it all, given that the population of Manipur is only about 25 lakhs, said the diaspora.
Quoting a report from Tehelka (Issue 32, August 15), the diaspora said, "militants and politicians are friends.
Commandos and extortionists are collaborators.
Friends are informers.
Law enforcers are killers.
Beneath the table, every hand is interlinked.' In the same story, Tehelka also quoted former Governor of Manipur, Ved Marwah as saying, "The problem is as much with Delhi as with Imphal.
The situation in Manipur can get much worse than Jammu and Kashmir, but the Centre just does not to recognise it".
Referring to the July 23 BT Road incident, the diaspora said that Manipur and its citizens are not safe from anyone, including the armed forces.
Underlining their points, the diaspora urged the Prime Minister to impose PR (short term), ensure that events in NE in general and Manipur in particular get due attention, resignation of Chief Minister O Ibobi on moral ground, a capable team and best methods to stop the killings in Manipur and identification of able leaders to take the State forward.
The 28 individuals also pointed out that they are not linked to any NGOs or any political parties and added that the representation has been submitted by well educated citizens of Manipur, citizens of India too-who are working or pursuing further studies in many parts of the country and abroad.
Copies of the representation have also been sent to the President of India, Vice President of India, Chairperson of the UPA Government, Sonia Gandhi, Chief Justice of India, Union Home Minister, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, LK Advani, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navi Pillay, internaitonal media houses, national media houses, media in the North East, media in Manipur and Supreme Court Judges.