Many condemn CM's statement; term it 'divisive', 'immature'
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, September 18 2024: Thoubal Apunba Lup (TAL), Thoubal Amasung Kakching District Apunba Lup (TAKDAL) and Meetei Community Joint Co-Ordination Committee (MCJCC) have strongly condemned the recent statement made by Chief Minister N Biren Singh wherein he accused people from Thoubal, Wangjing and Heirok of being responsible for the violent protests at Kakwa.

The organisations have demanded a clarification and further urged the Chief Minister to withdraw his statement.

The Chief Minister reportedly made the contentious remark during a function held to celebrate the 74th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Thambal Shanglen, Nityaipat Chuthek yesterday.

Addressing the media persons in this connection at Thoubal Community Hall, TAL publicity secretary S Amarjit said that the remark which showed disrespect towards the people of Thoubal, Wangjing and Heirok does not befit a leader of the people holding the Chief Minister's post.

He termed it unfortunate that the Chief Minister accused the people of the district of conspiring to destabilize the Government and discounted the people's efforts for the last 16 months of conflict.

Additionally, he clarified that out of the 36 persons arrested in connection with the Kakwa rally, only a few were from Thoubal.

The violence could have been brought under control easily but the police were not coordinated, he alleged.

Further, he blamed the actions of RAF who allegedly lobbed tear gas shells, mob bombs etc at the crowd for the escalation in violence.

Accusing the Chief Minister of blaming the people of Thoubal, Heirok and Wangjing and depicting them in the wrong light, the TAL publicity secretary demanded a clarification from the State leader.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by Y Bheigyachandra, chairman, TAKDAL has demanded the Chief Minister to withdraw his controversial statement.

Condemning the remark and terming it "immature", the TAKDAL press release stated that the Chief Minister has demonstrated his incompetence as a leader by making the statement.

TAKDAL has accused N Biren Singh of tarnishing the reputation of an entire district and added that his statement has hurt the sentiments of the people.

The people of Thoubal cannot be blamed for the Chief Minister's failure to govern the State, it said.

TAKDAL has appealed against attempts to divert the people's movement and disintegrate the public's unity.

Additionally, MCJCC denounced the statement calling it "divisive" and having the potential to foster hatred among the people of Imphal and Thoubal.

Stating that the people of Thoubal condemn his remark, MCJCC urged the Government to work sincerely on uprooting Kuki narco-terrorists from the State.

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