Political parties urge Governor, CM to resolve crisis
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 19 2024: Representatives of 10 like-minded political parties called on Governor Anusuiya Uikey and Chief Minister N Biren Singh at Raj Bhavan and CM's Secretariat respectively today and requested them to take up proactive steps to resolve the crisis besieging the State since May 3, 2023 .

The team consisting members of MPCC and State units of JD (U), AIFB, NCP (SP), AITC, Shiv Sena (UBT), RSP, CPI-MSC, CPI (M) and AAP first met the Governor in the afternoon and later called on the Chief Minister at around 5 pm .

A memorandum with similar proposals to work out an amicable solution and end the crisis was submitted to the Governor and the Chief Minister during the meetings.

During the meeting with the Governor, O Ibobi expressed his disappointment over the violence dragging on for over a year.

Political parties urge Governor, CM to resolve crisis

He also said that Jiribam has become the new hotspot of violence forcing hundreds of families in the district to flee and take shelter elsewhere.

Expressing concerns over the situation in Jiribam, the former Chief Minister urged the Governor to deploy adequate State security forces in the border district.

In the memorandum, the 10 political parties informed the Governor and the Chief Minister that people of Jiribam who are taking refuge in different relief camps will surely return to their homes if enough security forces are deployed to protect them.

They also said that the ambush on the advance escort party of the Chief Minister on their way to Jiribam at K Sinam village on June 10 was lamentable and such audacious acts must be seen as a serious challenge to the authority of the State.

The miscreants who attacked the security forces must be booked, they demanded.

The delegation also submitted three proposals to resolve the crisis and they are to deploy State security forces at vulnerable areas and district headquarters of Jiribam, Churachandpur, Imphal, Kangpokpi and Moreh.

They also proposed that adequate escorts be provided to transporters along National Highway 37 and National Highway 2 to ensure uninterrupted flow of goods to the State.

The third proposal was for the Centre and the State Government to take up immediate actions to restore normalcy in the State.

In front of the Raj Bhavan gate, CPI leader Dr M Nara conveyed what was discussed with the Governor.

The Governor was hopeful that there will be some development on the measures taken up to restore normalcy in Manipur within 10 days, Dr Nara said.

Saying that the Governor patiently listened to their proposals, Dr Nara added that Anusuiya also expressed her willingness to help in convening a meeting of all political parties.

From Raj Bhavan, the same team went to the CM's Secretariat and met the Chief Minister.

After meeting the Chief Minister, Dr Nara said that they apprised the Chief Minister of the need to call a meeting of all political parties and work out a common resolution to arrest the situation in the State.

The team also apprised the Chief Minister that the violence in Manipur may not have dragged on for such a long period had all the political parties active in the State worked together in the initial stage of the conflict which began on May 3, 2023, said Dr Nara.

Saying that working out a solution to the crisis won't be easy and a collective effort from the Centre, State Government and all the political parties is needed to restore normalcy in the State, Dr Nara added that the Chief Minister paid attention to their proposals.

To a query, Dr Nara said that they talked about the absence of the Chief Minister in the recent review meeting on Manipur which was held at New Delhi and presided by Union Home Minister Amit Shah with N Biren himself.

It was a security meeting so his presence wasn't compulsory was what the Chief Minister told the visiting team according to Dr Nara.

On asked what the Governor said about the matter, Dr Nara said that the Governor simply said that it was out of her purview.

MP elect Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, MPCC president K Meghachandra, CWC member Gaikhangam and other representatives of INDIA Bloc (Manipur unit) also attended both the meetings.

They drew the attention of the Governor and the Chief Minister to ensure there is no disruption in vehicular movement along the National Highways and make essential commodities including petroleum products available to the people.

They also urged them (the Governor and the CM) to apprise the Centre and the State Government to take up necessary actions to restore normalcy in the State.

Apart from discussing the issue in the State, the delegates asked what the Governor discussed with President Droupadi Murmu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her recent trip to New Delhi, said a press release from Raj Bhavan.

Welcoming the delegates and their proposals, the Governor said that all efforts have been made to ensure peace and security in the State and to bring a lasting solution to the crisis.

About her recent visit to the National capital, the Governor said that she apprised the Central leadership of the prevailing situation in Manipur and requested them to take up immediate actions to stop all forms of violence and bridge the gap between the two warring communities.

The Governor further said she also informed the Home Minister and the Finance Minister about the condition of the internally displaced people taking refuge in relief camps and the economic condition of the state.

Anusuiya said that she requested financial assistance from the Centre during her meeting with the Finance Minister.

The Governor assured the delegation that she will give her best efforts to restore normalcy in the State.

Meanwhile, Major General Ravroop Singh of IGAR (South) also called on the Governor and briefed the latter about the security situation in Jiribam district.

He informed the Governor about the various security measures taken up by the Assam Rifles in the district.

The Governor directed the IGAR (South) to help the people in Jiribam.