CPI submits memorandum to President
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 30 2023: A four-member delegation of Communist Party of India (CPI) consisting of CPI general secretary D Raja, CPI National Council secretaries Binoy Viswam MP, Dr K Narayana and Rama Krushna Panda submitted a memorandum to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday regarding the situation in Manipur .

In the memorandum, the CPI informed the President that a five-member delegation of the party led by D Raja visited the violence-torn state of Manipur from August 21 to 24, 2023, to see the ground reality and make efforts for peace-building.

The CPI apprised the President about the delegation's visit to areas dominated by all the ethnic groups in Manipur and their interactions with all sections of the society.

CPI submits memorandum to President

Highlighting their findings, the CPI said, "Violence in the State has already claimed more than 180 lives while 4800 houses are burnt, 733 places of worship of different communities destroyed and more than 55000 people displaced, including women and children in large numbers" .

The CPI also asserted that the people of Manipur are disheartened that even after more than 2 months of violence, it took a horrific video for the Prime Minister to speak on Manipur.

"Prime Minister's prolonged silence and him not visiting the strife-torn State has eroded people's faith in democratic institutions", said the memorandum.

"The educational ecosystem of the State is in a disarray, harming the future prospects of the younger generations.

People all over the State expressed apprehensions about drug trade, poppy cultivation and threats to land, forests and natural resources.

The issue of illegal migration and border fencing were also raised by people", it added.

The CPI also stated that the Union and State Government have failed in curtailing violence and divisions in the State and segregations have come to such a level that people from one community cannot visit the areas dominated by another community.

"This strife needs immediate redressal and a political initiative engaging all sections of society in Manipur", it added.

In the memorandum, CPI also raised various demands such the presence of MLAs belonging to different ethnic groups should be ensured in the Manipur Assembly Session; People have lost faith in the Government of N Biren Singh and he should be removed from the post of Chief Minister; Immediate steps should be taken to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur; Dialogue engaging all sections of society, political parties, civil society groups and opinions should be initiated to break the deadlock; Urgent steps should be taken to disarm all groups; Special package for relief and rehabilitation without any disparity should be sanctioned and adequate compensation for victims of violence, arson and displacement should be provided; Violence, arson and displacements have had a major impact on livelihoods throughout the state.

Adequate means of livelihood must be ensured for all affected people; Stringent action should be taken against all perpetrators and enablers of rapes, murder and violence; Initiative should be taken to bring the normalcy in educational institutes.

No student should be deprived of education.

Internet services must be restored and made available to all; Special safety measures should be taken for women.

Uninterrupted supply of medicines and medical services must be ensured to the people in relief camps and outside.

Special needs of women, children and elderly should be prioritized.

Special arrangements should be made for patients of diseases like hemophilia, cancer, kidney ailments, diabetes, hypertension etc.

Alleging that the Manipur Government has clamped down heavily on activists, journalists, intellectuals and others who were critical of the handling of the situation by the N Biren Singh administration, the CPI further demanded that all such FIRs, including the FIR against NFIW activists who went to Manipur on a fact-finding mission, should be immediately withdrawn.

The CPI also expressed hope that the President will take a sympathetic view of the situation and will act swiftly to ensure peace, harmony and tranquility in Manipur.

"People of Manipur are victims of divisions in the society, a political initiative and dialogue will give them the confidence and trust they need for rebuilding Manipur", it concluded.