Double engine Govt has betrayed Manipur : Ranjit
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 19 2025: Stating that the protracted violent crisis besieging the State for the past 21 months is more disastrous and terrifying than the Seven Years Devastation, deputy CLP leader Kangujam Ranjit has remarked that not a single ray of solution is visible so far.

Speaking at a reception function held in honour of Lok Sabha Member Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam at Mayang Imphal Bengoon Mayai Leikai on Saturday under the aegis of the Mayang Imphal Block Congress Committee, K Ranjit said that the BJP's double-engine Government has betrayed the people's trust for a solution to the violent crisis.

Chief Minister N Biren himself admitted on the floor of the State Assembly that he had been stripped of the post of Unified Command Chairman, Ranjit said.

Double engine Govt has betrayed Manipur : Ranjit

By admitting how he was unceremoniously removed from the post of the Unified Command Chairman, the Chief Minister was implying that he is totally helpless in the face of the violent crisis and this is a matter of shame for N Biren, he said.

Even if he had been removed from the post of the Unified Command Chairman, the Chief Minister can still convene meetings of the Unified Command, if necessary but he never bothered to call any meaningful meeting of the Unified Command throughout the course of the violent crisis, Ranjit said.

The Congress MLA also expressed utter surprise at N Biren's statement that the cyber crime of Manipur Police has failed and the intelligence agencies were not sharing any intelligence reports with him for 15 months.

"If there is such a thing as the next birth and if I were to be re-born as Chief Minister N Biren, I would pray for no more re-births", Ranjit said.

He asserted that the people and history of Manipur will never forgive N Biren.

He went on to claim that Sugnu remained calm and violence-free for 24 days after the violence broke out on May 3, 2023 because of his efforts and cooperation by different communities of the area.

Sugnu too became a battleground 24 days later after ZRA and KNA militants who came from Churachandpur launched a fierce offensive.

"I put up several nights at the battle ground to save Meitei people when they were repeatedly attacked by Kuki militants in Sugnu and Serou areas", he said.

Ranjit said that he is currently working to resettle displaced people of Sugnu and Serou areas at their homes by tilling around 383 paris of paddy fields.

Chief Minister N Biren must know that berating Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi for speaking in the Parliament wearing a T-shirt is unlawful, the deputy CLP leader said.

He said that Rahul Gandhi spoke in the Parliament with due permission of the Speaker.

Article 122 of the Constitution does not permit any Chief Minister to remonstrate with the Opposition leader in such a manner.

Chief Minister N Biren must know that his statements on Rahul Gandhi violated the Opposition leader's privilege and was a clear case of contempt of House, he remarked.

Ranjit recalled that a statement shared by P Chidambaram on social media regarding the Manipur crisis was removed immediately at the intervention of CLP leader O Ibobi.

Just as O Ibobi has the mettle to take on Central leaders in the interest of Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren needs to be bold enough in the interest of the suffering people, Ranjit said.

He said that the Congress party is always committed to protect the integrity of Manipur.

Contrary to Chief Minister N Biren's repeated claims that the State's forest cover declined dramatically and there was extensive poppy plantation on hill ranges during Okram Ibobi's period, the Forest Survey of India's state of forest reports say that Manipur's forest cover grew during 15 years during O Ibobi's rule while the forest cover is declining under N Biren's rule, Ranjit claimed.

Between 2002 and 2017, the State's forest cover grew by 127 square Kms.

The State lost 760.54 square Kms of forests under Chief Minister N Biren from 2017 to 2023, he said.

"If anyone can prove me wrong about the loss of 760.54 sq Kms of forests under Chief Minister N Biren, I will retire from electoral politics for life", he said.

He added that Chief Minister N Biren has failed miserably to protect the lives and properties of citizens.

MLA Th Lokeshwar said that Manipur is now on the verge of complete breakdown because of Chief Minister N Biren's failure to carry out his duties and responsibilities.

People are witnesses to any Government's failures and achievements.

It would do good for the Chief Minister to know what the people are saying about his Government, Lokeshwar said.

He warned that Manipur will face complete disintegration if the violent crisis is allowed to drag on.