Former MLAs speak out against one-day session
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 27 2023:
Maintaining that the BJP government is convening an assembly session for only one day to avoid their responsibilities as an elected government, ex-MLA RK Anand has said that the ensuing session is an anti-people session, which was called to save the government from imminent dissolution.
Addressing a press meet on Sunday, the former MLA of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC said that CSOs and political parties demanded an emergency session of the assembly to pass a resolution on the state's territorial integrity so that the resolution could be sent to the parliament but the government refused to entertain the demand.
Now, the government is Convening a one day session just to save itself from dissolution while ignoring the burning issue, which would require extensive discussion and debate for at least four or five days.
In short, this session is anti-people, he reiterated.
Anand also questioned the stand of COCOMI about its earlier ultimatum of boycotting the government.
He further questioned the reason behind the union home minister's instruction to divide the task of handling the law-and-order situation in the state between the Cen tral and state government and its ramification resulting in creation of buffer zone in valley areas.
Instead of reining in the militant groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement, the union home minister is asking COCOMI to take initiatives for restoring peace while giving free hand to the SoO militant groups, he said.
RK Anand further slammed the Central government for leaving the public to defend for themselves instead of using its machineries to restore peace.
Defending public lives and properties is the responsibility of the government and yet the so-called double engine governments of the BJP both at the centre and in the state are shying away from their obligations, he said and also criticised the Centre for focusing on G20 while Manipur is burning.
Meanwhile, slamming the N Biren government for holding state assembly session for only one day in a hasty manner amid the humanitarian crisis in the state, veteran politician Okram Joy has said that the single day sitting will remain as a dark spot in the political history of Manipur.
Addressing a press meet at his Kakwa residence here on Sunday, Joy said that the ensuing assembly session has been called not in the interest of the public but to save the government.
This session will remain as a dark spot in the political history of not only Manipur but also for India and the world.
This is also an amplification of the BJP government's suppression of free speech, which people have seen in the recently concluded parliament session wherein MPs from Manipur were not allowed to speak, he said.
He also compared the Biren government with a patient in ICU on oxygen support and said that the government will fall once the oxygen supply from Delhi stops.
Article 363 of the Constitution bars intervention from any court in any dispute arising out of any provision of a treaty, agreement, covenant, engagement, or other similar instrument executed before the commencement of the Constitution by any ruler of an Indian state, he said while calling the demand for separate administration as daydreaming.
He also asked political leaders from across the country including Mizoram CM Zoramthanga to stop inciting hatred among the indigenous people of Manipur.
He also asked why the government is not taking up any action against the 10 Kuki MLAs for their attempt and instigation to disintegrate Manipur.
They may be brothers or friends but that does not outweigh the territory of the state, the MLA maintained and accused the state government of protecting the 10 Kuki MLAs despite their role in the ongoing crisis.
Comparing the opposition in a government as a brake of a moving vehicle, O Joy said that without brake, the vehicle will met with an accident and the same condition applies to the government.
He also slammed the BJP government for allowing one of its ministers to take leave from the assembly session citing security reason.