Cong calls on Governor, seeks intervention
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 04 2023: Amid the rising tension and the prevailing volatile situation, former Chief Minister and CLP leader, Okram Ibobi and several party leaders today called on Governor Anusuiya Uikey and sought Centre's intervention to restore normalcy and peace in the State.

The former CM, accompanied by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president MLA K Meghachandra, Khundrak-pam AC MLA Thokchom Lokeshwar, MPCC vice president Hareswar Goswami and spokesperson Ningombam Bupendra, also submitted a memorandum to the Governor for Centre's attention and action to restore normalcy.

Significantly, hours later in the evening, the Centre promulgated Article 355 in the State and took over the charge of security.

Cong calls on Governor, seeks intervention

After submitting the memorandum in the afternoon, at the Governor's residence gate, CLP leader Okram Ibobi said the current situation and rising tension that has many houses burnt and people killed is rare and very unfortunate.

Congress party has submitted a memorandum to the Governor urging the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister to intervene and bring back the law and order to normalcy in the State, Ibobi said.

"The different communities in Manipur have been coexisting peacefully since time immemorial and this will continue in the future too.

We were all born in Manipur and if there has been a misunderstanding between us then all of us have to sit down and find a solution peacefully," he said.

Stating that arming the people and violence will not bring any peace, Ibobi urged people to lay down arms and come to the table together to solve all differences.

As the State police consists of members of all communities, Congress party urged the Centre for deployment of Central Paramilitary Forces.

This doesn't mean that the Congress party lacks trust in the State Police, he said, adding that the party thought a neutral force would be more effective in controlling the situation.

O Ibobi continued that amid the prevailing situation, the Congress party is not taking any steps to gain political mileage.

The party wants peace to be restored in the State and hence, it urged the Centre to intervene and take appropriate actions.

MPCC president K Meghachandra also stated that the party submitted the memorandum to the Governor to urge Centre to intervene and send additional Central paramilitary forces.

The present situation is volatile and there are no confirmed reports on the number of houses that have been burnt and the number of people who have been killed in the violence that started yesterday, K Meghachandra said, adding people must come together and unite to stop the violence and restore peace.

He continued that some among the people who protested yesterday had sophisticated weapons/guns in their hands and the police personnel remained as bystanders unable to do anything.

This incident has shown that there are some lapses in the State security forces, he added.