Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 17 2009:
With D Day in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency at shaking hands distance, the manipur people's party has intensified the campaign for the four-party sponsored Manipur Democratic Alliance nominee Thounaojam Chaoba Singh as MPP leaders sustained their tirades against the Congress.
Addressing a public meeting at Ibudhou Khamlangba community hall in Sagolband Moirang Leirak today, MPP president Dr L Chandramani picked out alleged ignorance of the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh regarding the ongoing cordon and search operation at Loktak lake.
Referring to the CM's reported comments of being unaware that security forces have launched the Loktak Lake sanitisation operation, the MPP leader opined that such a posture by no less than O Ibobi himself is a testimony that there is absence of governance in the state.
Owing to Manipur cart-wheeling sans any direction and the Chief Minister not interested in the welfare of the citizens the common people are at the receiving end consequently resulting in the masses enduring endless sorrow, said Dr Chandramani, who is also a former Deputy Chief Minister.
He also held the CM responsible for the alleged deterioration in the law and order situation of the State due to callousness of O Ibobi in addition to accusing the latter of giving free hand to the Army.
Dr Chandramani further urged the people to maintain constant vigil as parliamentary election for the Inner Manipur seat is being held not only under the shadow of the Army's domain but in such a state where there is absolutely no rule of law.
Continuing the tirade against the present Govt, he charged the SPF Govt's co-partners the Congress and the CPI, of being indifferent to threat posed to the boundary of Manipur in the backdrop of the naga integration movement.
Recalling MPP Legislative Wing leader O Joy's apprehension made public some 22-23 years that there is threat to manipur's territorial integrity, Dr Chandramani observed that looming threat to the State's boundary arising out of the Naga integration demand is due to the Congress-CPI Govt's incompetence which had only emboldened the Naga movement activists.
Ridiculing claim of the Congress party leaders that Kangla was restored to the people of Manipur from the hands of the Assam Rifles due to efforts by the Congress, Dr Chandramani contended that the then MPP Govt initiated relevant processes for shifting the Assam Rifles from Kangla to a Luwangshangbam location only to be occupied by another Assam Rifles unit previously stationed in Ukhrul at the proposed site.
Further castigating the Congress on the Kangla issue, he asserted that the Assam Rifles were forced out of kangla following intense public movement in the aftermath of killing Thangjam Manorama Devi by AR troops with the unique nude demonstration by Manipuri womenfolk ultimately signalling end of the AR occupation.
In no way could the Congress party claim to have schemed ouster of the AR from the sacred location, he added.
Highlighting changes/development brought to the state when the MPP was in power, the seasoned politician said declaration of general amnesty by the then MPP Govt had encouraged many UGs to come to rejoin the mainstream in addition to MPP efforts leading to establishment of RIMS, MU and setting up of the MPSC as well as Board of Secondary Education.
Predicting that outcome of the Parliamentary elections is certain to be the beginning of the end of the Congress rule in the Centre, Dr Chandramani also said cracks within the SPF coalition in the State will dismantle the Govt for which the MDA had been constituted to save manipur.
Among others, MLAs O Joy and RK Anand also addressed the gathering and urged for supporting the MDA candidate Th Chaoba Singh.