Barred entry to Phougakchao Ikhai Bazar
MP to highlight matter in LS
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 01 2025: Lok Sabha MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam today asserted that the restriction imposed by Central forces, which prevented him from entering Phougakchao Ikhai Bazar, which falls within his Constituency would be placed on the floor of Parliament.

Addressing the media at his Keishamthong residence today, Dr Bimol urged the people of Manipur not to remain silent over the alleged attempt to facilitate the disintegration of Manipur through the creation of buffer zones.

People should consistently voice their opposition to the creation of buffer zones and remain vigilant, he said and added that he will raise this issue during a Parliament session and other platforms.

He asserted that the denial of his entry to Phougakchao Ikhai, despite being a people's representative, should be seen beyond party politics, not as a BJP or Congress issue.

It is disheartening to see Manipur's land being classified along community lines, he said, adding that all land in Manipur falls under the State Government's jurisdiction and this fact shouldn't be forgotten.

People from warring communities are still being barred from entering certain areas although the Government denies presence of buffer zones, he charged.

Stating that buffer zones in Manipur continue to divide people along community lines, he said that restricting movement within one's own land violates Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of movement.

Dividing people along community lines has no place in a secular, democratic republic like India, Dr Bimol said and added security forces barring people from accessing certain areas in Manipur is an attempt to fragment Manipur.

Describing as unfortunate the reaction of some people questioning his attempt to enter areas where Meiteis are barred, the MP said that he aimed to challenge the psychological barrier that certain places are off-limits.

The MP asked if any law restricts people from moving freely within their own State.

Dr Bimol clarified that Phougakchao Ikhai Keithel, the place he attempted to enter on June 29 wasn't a trouble-prone area like Churachandpur, Torbung Bazar, Govindapur, Torbung Bangla, or Waikhurok.

He also said that he had only requested security cover to visit the Keithel, located about 300-400 meters from Phougakchao Ikhai Makha Leikai, an area with adequate security deployment, for just five minutes.

Phougakchao Ikhai falls within Bishnupur district and the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, he said adding that preventing him from visiting a place within his own Constituency was unjustified.

Asking why his entry was restricted on communal lines despite being an MP, he stressed that the Government should not endorse or enable such discriminatory practices.

People from communities other than Meeteis are allowed to enter Phougakchao Ikhai, he said and asserted that the creation of buffer zones is a deliberate attempt to divide Manipur along communal lines.

He dared the security forces to issue a formal order barring him from entering certain areas in Manipur simply because he is a Meitei.

What kind of peace is it that the Centre and the President's Rule Government are claiming has been restored in Manipur, the MP asked.

He said that he would explore legal options for being denied entry to Phougakchao Ikhai Keithel.

It was wrong for security forces to restrict an MP's movement without understanding the protocols of an elected representative, Dr Bimol said, adding that normalizing buffer zones would be equally misguided.

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