House fumes over mithibong meetambal remark
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 24 2014: Legislators of the State today termed uncouth and unparliamentary the particular remark mithibong meetambal (rough translation spineless or good for nothing or both) given to them during a talk show telecast live on Impact TV.

The House termed the particular remark as breach of privilege and contempt of House.

After deliberating on the matter which was raised by MLAs of both the ruling and opposition benches, Speaker Th Lokeshore maintained that the matter deserved attention of the House.

He then referred the matter to the House Privilege Committee for thorough enquiry.

Raising the matter Dr I Ibohalbi said that a discussion programme on the students' movement for implementation of Inner Line Permit System was telecast live on Impact TV on July 22 evening.

During the talk show, Human Rights Alert executive director Babloo Loitongbam allegedly asserted that the ILP issue was not discussed in the State Assembly as all the Legislators are mithibong meetambal.

This scornful remark was uncouth and unparliamentary, and amounted to breach of privilege and contempt of House, Dr Ibohalbi stated.

Babloo's assertion that students came out to streets as the Legislators failed to discuss the ILP issue in the State Assembly projected the public-legislators relationship in wrong light.

The issue of ILP was discussed in the State Assembly and even resolutions were adopted in favour of the demand.

Babloo Loitongbam and the Impact TV Editor who called the 60 MLAs mithibong meetambal apart from alleging that they (legislators) have been engaged in contract works without thinking for the State should be taken to task for breach of privilege and contempt of House, Ibohalbi demanded.

L Ibomcha reminded that the State Assembly took resolutions on the issue of ILP twice in addition to lobbying directly with central leaders at Delhi.

Now the State Government can only send reminders.

It is wrong to view and treat MLAs as enemies.

MLAs too love Manipur, Ibomcha said.

He maintained that befitting lesson should be taught so as to avoid such unparliamentary language in future.

PHED Minister I Hemochandra stated that the matter should be referred to the Privilege Committee and discussed thoroughly so that all the people who made such irresponsible and malicious statements are punished accordingly.

Observing that the particular remark seriously hurt prestige and credibility of all the MLAs apart from attempting to draw a line of division between people and MLAs, K Shyam too demanded befitting action.

Dr Ng Bijoy also supported the motion and maintained that Babloo deserved to be sacked from his post.

RK Anand maintained that befitting action should be initiated for the utter disrespect shown towards the House.

Th Shyamkumar also supported the motion.

Later Speaker Th Lokeshore announced that the matter has been referred to the privileged committee.

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