PAPPM states stand on MP's Parliament speech
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 07 2025: People's Alliance for Peace and Progress Manipur (PAPPM) has censured Inner Manipur MP Dr Bimol Akoijam for his remarks in the Parliament on February 3, terming the same as 'irresponsible and divisive'.

The Alliance accused Dr Bimol of legitimising the narrative of Kuki narco-terrorists and insulting internally displaced persons (IDPs) by calling them "hired hands" in his response on February 4 .

"Bimol's words epitomise the banality of evil', equating Kuki militants with valley village volunteers and branding them as an armed militia.

By falsely claiming that a politician created the volunteers to serve his interests, he apparently tried to mainstream a narrative aimed at destabilising the state's territorial integrity," claimed PAPPM, asserting that valley youth took up arms not for political gain but to defend their homes and the very idea of Manipur from Kuki aggression since May 3, 2023.Interestingly, Dr Bimol Akoijam, in his Facebook posts, defended his statements made in the Parliament, asserting that he chose his words carefully and took full responsibility for them.

Referring to reaction to use of the term "armed groups," he wrote, "Huranba nakokta napi pak-e" (A guilty conscience needs no accuser), questioning why the term provoked certain groups.

He clarified that there is a vast difference between "militant" and his phrase "armed groups", which he further qualified with "nurtured by" .

Rejecting the claim that village volunteers were politically nurtured, he asserted, "Village volunteers are not nurtured by politicians, they voluntarily came out to safeguard their land and community" .

He also stated that his words were based on legal, political, historical, and moral considerations, adding, "I carried out my democratic and historical responsibilities entrusted by the people.

I take full responsibility!" In another post, he dismissed criticism, saying, "You think this will work? You don't know why I have chosen to be in this so-called 'dirty' domain called 'party' and 'electoral' politics!" .

Addressing the protests by a group of women, he assured, "Mothers, let the parliament session end, I will definitely meet all of you.

I do not feel offended, everything will be sorted out" .

However, according to PAPPM, Bimol's remarks carry serious political, social, security, and legal implications.

"Politically, he attempted to de-legitimise the valley village volunteers and isolate IDPs, whose struggles he dismissed.

Socially, his words provoked civil society organisations and complicated peace-building efforts.

Security-wise, his speech emboldened Kuki militants and misrepresented the valley volunteers despite their sacrifices".

The PAPPM statement further rued that his remarks could invite external interference, distort government policies, and mislead national and international perceptions of the conflict and called for legal and parliamentary action against Bimol for the statements detrimental to Manipur's unity and integrity.

Declaring his actions a betrayal, the organisation demanded his resignation, stating that he lacks the integrity to continue as MP .

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