Centre's treatment of Manipur intolerable : Ibobi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 11 2025: Former Chief Minister and CLP leader Okram Ibobi has categorically stated that the way the Central Government has been treating Manipur with utter disrespect and arrogance is difficult to tolerate.

Speaking to media persons at the gate of his residential quarters at Babupara today, Ibobi remarked that the way BJP National leaders and the Central Government have been treating Manipur is a matter of grave concern and added that the way the Centre has been treating Manipur with utter disrespect and arrogance is highly condemnable.

"It is better to be dead than holding any key seat of power under such attitude of the Central Government", Ibobi said.

Centre's treatment of Manipur intolerable : Ibobi

The violent crisis besieging the State since May 3, 2023 is most unfortunate.

The crisis erupted in a pre-planned and premeditated manner, he said.

As if the Centre knew that a serious crisis was about to unfold in Manipur, the Central Government appointed IPS officer (Bengal cadre) Kuldiep Singh as Security Advisor to the Government of Manipur barely 24 hours after the crisis erupted, Ibobi said.

Because of the nearly two years old crisis, all sections of the people have been suffering extreme misery.

Around 250 to 260 lives belonging to both the communities have been cut short while more than 30 persons are still missing.

Moreover, tens of thousands of people have been living a wretched life in poorly equipped relief camps.

He then questioned the Centre's attitude towards Manipur when its people have been suffering extreme misery for such a long time.

The seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly was already scheduled to commence from February 10 as demanded by the Constitution.

Just one day before, Chief Minister N Biren was called to Delhi in a chartered flight.

There is no rule that the Chief Minister cannot be asked to come to Delhi in chartered flight.

If the Chief Minister must be called to Delhi, he should have been called at least one week before the scheduled Assembly session and they (BJP Central leaders) could have given him whatever advice or instruction, Ibobi said.

Asking the Chief Minister of Manipur to come to Delhi in a chartered flight on the night just a day before the commencement of the scheduled Assembly session reflects Centre's utter disrespect for Manipur, the former Chief Minister remarked.

The Centre's disrespect crossed all limits when they instructed the Chief Minister to go back to Imphal the next day and submit his resignation.

If they wanted the Chief Minister to resign, they could have asked him to do so a week or 10 days earlier, he said.

It would be a costly mistake if the Centre sees the people of Manipur as sub-humans or wretched beings.

It is not desirable for the Centre to treat Manipuri people as inferior beings and impose their fancies and whims, he said.

The Opposition Congress has just five MLAs in Manipur and as such, the party does not have the strength to topple the BJP Government.

Speaking from his experience of the last 30 years, the CLP leader said that toppling an incumbent Govern- ment or formation of a new Government or change of leadership is usually initiated by Members of the ruling parties.

BJP Central leaders would have seen the internal discord brewing among the BJP legislators of Manipur several days back.

Change of leadership within BJP has nothing to do with the Congress party, he said.

Keeping the State Assembly under animated suspension even if it is for a brief period is not desirable.

A new Chief Minister may be sworn in at midnight, if necessary.

If the Centre wants, they may project one of their legislators as the new leader and swear him in as the Chief Minister of Manipur, Ibobi said.

There is no Constitutional crisis in Manipur.

If the Centre is scheming to create a Constitutional crisis in Manipur out of nowhere and impose President's Rule, the people of Manipur will find it very difficult to tolerate, he warned.

"If the Centre continues to treat Manipur with such disrespect and arrogance, death is preferable than holding any seat of political power", Ibobi continued.

If the Centre wanted, a new Chief Minister could have been sworn on the day N Biren tendered his resignation.

This way the Assembly session could have proceeded as scheduled, the CLP leader said.

He recalled that late RK Jaichandra was sworn in at midnight when there was Congress Government at the Centre.

Ibobi asked the BJP Central leaders to elect a new Chief Minister of their choice at the earliest, and restore peace and normalcy in the State.

He also asked the BJP Central leaders to bring a solution to the Manipur crisis.

Noting that the incumbent BJP Government was elected by the people with full majority, the CLP leader asked the BJP Central leaders to let the State Government complete its full term.

Just as the Congress party is ever ready to provide constructive suggestions to the Government, the party will never shy away from criticising the Government's failures and lapses, Ibobi asserted.

He also asked the Centre to respect the people of Manipur and initiate welfare programmes for all sections of people.