Congress MLAs meet Governor in Guwahati
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 13 2024:
Amid the surge in violence in the past few days, all five Congress MLAs rushed t io Guwahati and met Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya.
The MLAs led by O Ibobi called on the Governor around 7 pm Wednesday and submitted a memorandum.
Deputy CLP leader K Ranjit informed The People Chronicle that the MLAs held discussion on the prevailing situation in the state with Acharya for nearly an hour along with expressing to the Governor that state government alone cannot resolve the crisis lingering on for more than one and half year without the intervention of the Centre.
The Congress MLAs also urged the Centre through the Governor for arranging a joint meeting of all the 60 MLAs of the state at the level of the Prime Minister as such a meeting could bring back peace and normalcy in the state, MLA Ranjit informed TPC through telephone.
According to Ranjit, Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya patiently heard the proposals placed by the Congress MLAs and assured to extend all possible help from his side for resolving the crisis.
The Governor also regretted abduction of three children and three women and informed the MLAs that efforts are being made to rescue the abducted civilians in consultation with the Centre.
The move by the Congress MLAs came at a juncture when none of the ruling MLAs have reportedly uttered a single word despite the situation escalating alarmingly in the past few days and the fate of the three children and three women abducted by Kuki militants from Jiribam remains uncertain.
The Congress MLAs had left for Guwahati at about 4 pm to meet Acharya, who also holds additional charge for Manipur.
Besides Ibobi, the Congress delegation include MPCC president K Meghachandra, deputy CLP leader K Ranjit, O Surjakumar and Th Lokeswar.
Prior to the departure, O Ibobi told media persons at Imphal airport that the violence since May, 2023 continues unabated and escalated alarmingly in the past few days with more fatalities and abduction.
However, the government of India seems un-interested in resolving the crisis, he protested, adding that non-appointment of a regular Governor for the state underscore indifferent attitude of the centre towards the state and the suffering people.
Taking into account of the unrest situation, Manipur merits a regular Governor to coordinate with the Centre daily, he said.
Regarding Guwahati trip, Ibobi disclosed that Congress MLAs would apprise the Governor about the present alarming situation in the state and submit a memorandum to the Centre through the Governor for immediate measures to secure the safe release of six innocent civilians abducted by Kuki militants on November 11 from Jiribam.
Earlier in the day, MPCC convened a press conference at the official residence of O Ibobi at Babupara where all the five Congress MLAs and former MPCC president N Loken and former MLA M Okendro were also present.
During the press conference, Ibobi said the violence since May 3, 2023 escalated alarmingly since the past four days and anything could happen now and added that in view of the prevailing tense situation, both the BJP governments in the state and the Centre must give more attention to resolving the crisis.
"Congress party deeply condoles all those killed in the past few days and it would be the right step for the abductors to release three children and three women safe and sound," he pleaded.
O Ibobi Singh continued that there is no point for the present government to continue if it can't protect lives and properties of the people.
"It is the duty and responsibility of the government to protect lives and properties of the people, but the stark silence of the Government of India even after the abduction of six civilians, provokes the questions: "if Government of India considers the people of Manipur as insects and worms and whether Manipur is not a part of the country?.
If the Centre really wants, they could have long ago resolved the crisis by extending support to the state government, he contended.
Unfortunately, the violence lingers on as there is a hidden agenda, Ibobi said and vowed to extend support and sacrifice if the hidden agenda behind the violence would help the country and the state.
On the other hand, Congress legislators sought appointment with the Prime Minister through All India Congress Committee (AICC) and all the legislatures will prepare for rushing to the national capital if given the appointment.
On the other hand, the memorandum submitted by five Congress MLAs to Governor demanded immediate steps for securing safe release of all the abducted civilians and bringing back peace and normalcy in the state by resolving the more than one and half years long crisis.
The memorandum also highlighted that Prime Minister's Office and Union Home Ministry have no intention to resolve the crisis lingering on for more than 18 months.
It also said that chief minister N Biren Singh and his council of ministers are not only unable to execute their Constitutional responsibility but have also failed to protect lives and properties of the people.
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