No proposal for PR in memo to PM: 9 MLAs
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 22 2023:
Nine legislators of the state who submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi few days back regarding the ongoing violence clarified that the memorandum had no point which would invite President's Rule in Manipur.
If the memorandum had any point against the interest of the state, all the legislators will readily accept any punishment given by the people, stated MLAs Karam Shyam, Th Radheshyam and Sapam Nishikant in a video message uploaded on social media in the presence of MLAs Paonam Brojen and Kh Raghumani.
In the video, Heirok MLA Th Radheshyam said ministers, MLAs and people are collectively putting efforts at their capacities to bring peace and normalcy in Manipur.
Nine MLAs visited the national capital to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi but could not get appointment.
As there was no chance of getting appointment with PM Modi ahead of his US and Egypt tour, the MLAs submitted a memorandum to the PMO.
However, contents of the memorandum are being misinterpreted in both print and electronic media, which indeed is very unfortunate, Rad-heshyam said while maintaining that the nine MLAs are compelled to issue the clarification in view of wrongful portrayal of their efforts to the people.
While thanking the six student organisations for coming out and taking lead role to contain the ongoing violence and resumption of normal classes, Radheshyam said the legislators'will continue to work towards solving problems related to education sector.
He said that the nine MLAs rushed to the national capital due to enormous pressure from the people after 10 Kuki legislators demanded separate administration and Naga MLAs met Union home minister Amit Shah.
Apart from this, ruling MLAs and ministers sat together with speaker Th Satyabrata and took a collective decision to visit New Delhi and mount pressure on the Centre to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur.
Some of the MLAs who reached New Delhi before others swiftly sought the appointment with PM.
However, the appointment was not proposed solely for the nine MLAs but with the anticipation that other MLAs could join on confirmation about the appointment, Radheshyam explained adding that the memorandum already signed by nine MLAs was submitted in utmost necessity as the PM was readying for foreign tour without meeting them.
According to Radheshyam, it will be wrong to consider the demand for 'special measure' as mentioned in the memorandum as imposition of President's Rule (PR) and all the nine MLAs never want to impose PR.
Ministers and MLAs are to be affected most when PR is imposed as all of them will be powerless and hence MLAs never want PR, he reasoned adding that special measure mentioned in the memorandum relates to adequate supply of essential items and medicines and deployment of adequate security to.
contain the violence.
Special measure also relates to replacement of Assam Rifles by BSF as people have no faith in AR, he added.
Keishamthong MLA Sapam Nishikant also said in the video that MLAs visited New Delhi as per the collective decision taken in the chamber of speaker Th Satyabrata and appointment with PM Modi was sought when more MLAs reached the national capital gradually and chief minister N Biren Singh was communicated in this regard too.
In the video, Langthabal MLA Karam Shyam said he had been waiting for a collective meeting of legislators since the eruption of violence on May 3.After being informed by speaker Satyabrata to discuss about the prevailing situation, a meeting was held at the speaker's chamber on June 7 wherein it was decided that imposition of PR at the crucial juncture is not good and accordingly decided to visit New Delhi to mount pressure to the Centre against imposition of PR.
He also said that there is no disunity among MLAs and some vested interests are trying to create discord among legislators.