No official document on imposition of Art 355: BC Das
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 10 2023: While urging for restoring peace and normalcy in the state following the ethnic clashes; All India Congress Committee (AICC) Manipur in-charge Bhakta Charan Das contended that although Article 355 is said to be imposed in Manipur, no document/ evidence of the same has been issued in this regard.

As such, the government should make a clarification in the matter, he asserted.

Addressing a press meet held at Congress Bhawan, here on Wednesday, Bhakta Charan Das said that the ethnic clash is unfortunate, especially as it concerns the people's right to life.

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have taken the situation seriously and instructed him (Bhakta) to monitor the same, following which he arrived on Tuesday.

Upon his arrival, he met Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) leaders and discussed the prevailing situation in Manipur.

Expressing his sadness over the violence, Bhakta urged for restoring peace and normalcy in the state at the earliest.

As CSOs and the public are assisting those at relief camps, the government must continue evacuating those stranded in conflict areas and provide appropriate compensation to all those affected.

The Congress leader said that he does not want to put blame on anyone for the violence, but appropriate relief measures must be provided for those whose houses have been burnt or damaged.

At present, the people in Manipur are in a state of high tension.

As such, security forces must continue protecting the people.

Stating that the ruling BJP government has failed badly, he said that government seems to be according importance to the Karnataka election, while campaigning for a double engine government, as was done during the 2022 election in Manipur.

BJP's campaign promised to bring in development and peace and put an end to violence.

Contrary to this, fires burned in the heart of Imphal City right next to the residence of the Governor of Manipur and the Chief Minister's office on a sunny afternoon.

Bhakta then stressed the importance of restoring peace in the state, adding that Congress under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi has been calling for 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' which stands for unity and brotherhood.

However, under the BJP government, the meaning of brotherhood has been lost.

Nonetheless, we must try to live together in harmony, he contended, while urging against a repeat of similar incidents in the future and respecting one another.

The press meet was also attended by CLP leader O Ibobi, MPCC president K Meghachandra and ex-MP T Meinya among other party leaders.

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