Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 23 2009:
During deliberation on today's shoot-out at BT road, Chief Minister has declared that it's time to show who is ruling the land, the Government or 'them'.
Raising a general discussion motion after the day's business, Ibobi said that all members of the House ought to condemn the incident.
Taking part in the discussion, Radhabinod Koijam maintained that all violent incidents taking place in the State were related to money.
He cited the case of Krishnadas and other cases of killings and bomb/gun attacks.
Radhabinod Koijam asserted that it's time to say "enough is enough".
Regardless of whether one belongs to ruling or Opposition, all political parties should stand united against the continuing violence.
Echoing the same view, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi said that all the violent activities are related to money matter.
These violent activities have nothing to do with liberation of the land.
MLA Shyamkumar, citing cases of suppression of major insurgent groups in big countries, asserted that the insurgency movement of the State can be suppressed with support from the Union Government.
K Ranjit cautioned that the future generation would be in great peril if the present trend of large scale extortion/collection of money in the name of insurgency is not checked.
Joining the discussion, Md Allaudin Khan observed that a large number of Meitei Pangals have been killed since the birth of Muslim UG groups in 1993 .
All those killed were directly or indirectly related to pursuit of easy money, he alleged.
He asserted that it is time to educate all those individuals/groups and over ground workers who have been dancing to the tune of UG groups just to get contract works and some other benefits.
With many UG groups turning their attention to collection of money in the absence of any ideology and engaging themselves in exercising power over each other, the State is witnessing an abnormal condition since the last few years, O Joy observed.
He also assured unconditional support to all efforts of the Government towards bringing normalcy in the State.
Stating that the Khalistan Movement of Punjab was subdued by the people after the State Government failed in containing the movement, N Mangi alleged that families of many insurgents have been living in luxury in the society.
Accepting that the daily incidents of violence are related to money, Chief Minister O Ibobi wondered at the bravado of these armed groups who dared to make claims of their anti-social activities.
Reiterating that the Government is deadly opposed to killings, the Chief Minister stated that killings cannot bring any solution.
Conveying about the perception of the Govt of India on the insurgent groups of Manipur, Ibobi said that all these groups do not have any principle.
They are extremists, looters and gangs.
It is hard to imagine any political dialogue with these groups.
He also informed the House about the Govt of India's suggestion to 'soft deal' with these armed groups.
Saying that AFSPA was repealed from IMC area in the interest of people even risking the possibility of President's Rule, Ibobi said that the Government has complete knowledge of who is behind the relay hunger strike continuing at Porompat in batches.
Later, the House unanimously condemned the BT Road shoot-out in the strongest term.
The House members also observed two minute's silence in honour of the woman killed in the shoot-out as well as five others who sustained injuries.