CPI says no to coming LS polls
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 22 2024:
The CPI-Manipur State Council has issued a clarion call to all the members of the House to make the upcoming session of the State Assembly meaningful as well as not to hold the coming Parliamentary elections here in view of the volatile situation.
Take a concrete resolution to restore normalcy in Manipur during the Assembly session which is set to begin from February 28 and forward the same to the Centre, the Left party said in its appeal to the legislators.
Speaking to the media at its office at Rupmahal Tank today, secretary of CPI-MSC L Thoiren said that there would be no point in calling the Assembly session if there won't be any discussion or debate on the Manipur violence which has been crippling the State since May 3 last year.
Attendance of the 10 Kuki MLAs is also necessary to make the Assembly session inclusive and possibly work out a solution to the protracted crisis, Thoiren continued.
Saying that Parliamentary elections should not be held in Manipur until there is normalcy in the State, he added that the Left party would work along with like minded groups and parties to boycott the Parliamentary elections if the need arises.
The duration of the Assembly can be extended if discussing the burning issue needs more time, Thoiren opined.
Former State secretary of CPI-MSC L Sotinkumar said that the violence which broke out in Churachandpur on February 15 is a tell-tale sign of some sections of people standing against peace.
Burning down DC and SP offices and mobs trampling on the tricolour flag in Churachandpur should be taken very seriously, he said.
He also said that the Meitei MLAs attending the recent meeting of BJP in New Delhi together with Kuki MLAs amid the violent conflict was shameful.
Sotinkumar also sought clarification for the crackdown on women protesters at Cheirap Court complex recently.
Saying that the entire fault of the inability of the Meiteis to return or go to Moreh, Churachandpur and traverse along National Highway-2 lies with the Government, Sotinkumar asked whether the State Government has been stripped of all power.
Only a political solution can end the conflict in the State, the Left leader maintained and claimed that the Government, however, only wants the violence to linger on.
Saying that holding election at this critical juncture won't be free and fair, Sotinkumar urged the Centre and the State Government to focus on ending the conflict besieging Manipur first.