Not the time to worry for chair: Lokeshwar to CM
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 28 2023:
Observing that the state is on the verge of a full scale civil war and any delay on the part of the government in taking up right measures to resolve the crisis would cause irreparable damages, Congress MLA Th Lokeshwar has advised chief minister N Biren to be bold and stop worrying about his chair.
Addressing a press conference at his Babupara residence, here, on Thursday, Lokeshwar regretted failure of the state government to rescue the two students despite knowing their location from mobile tracking.
Their murder has not only left a deep scar in the minds of the student community but also to all sane people, he said, while conveying his prayer for their souls to rest in peace.
When the video of two Kuki women went viral, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the incident making his short condemnation headline across the globe.
Chief minister N Biren also condemned the incident.
As such act is not acceptable in the Meetei society, every section of the community raised their voices against the crime and some even burned the house of an accused person.
Unfortunately, when the photos of the two students went viral after they were killed by Kuki narco-terrorists, the Prime Minister is remaining silent.
The CM and ruling MLAs, who even participated in protest against the nude parading incident, are also remaining silent.
It has become meaningless to have a government, he said, while enquiring the reason for not tracing the two students for over two months.
On the other hand, Kuki people including women and CSOs are also remaining silent over the incident.
Minister Nemcha Kipgen, as a woman, should at least speak a word or two, the Congress MLA prodded and asked her why she is silent and what were their faults.
They were not even part of any fighting group and yet their captors mercilessly killed them, he said and added that those terrorists could never be residents of Manipur.
The MLA further raised the question why the case was not handed over to NIA instead of CBI as there is no trust for CBI in the state due to their past records.
He also charged the government of being partisan in the present crisis.
Despite the heavy presence of central security forces, the government has not been able to locate the bodies of the murdered teenagers and hand them over to the bereaved family members, he lamented and further questioned the reason behind the unrestricted activities of Kuki terrorist groups in the state.
Lokeshwar also raised strong objection against excesses committed by the security towards student protestors and held the CM accountable for exposing the students to great risk.
While enquiring who gave the order to use excessive forces against the students, he also expressed strong remorse that even if there is no President's Rule in the state yet the CM seems unable to exercise his power.
Further stating that the security forces could have used water cannon, which is a less lethal means, he termed as unwarranted use of brute force against the Meetei students contrary to the government not taking up stern measures against Kuki militants, who attack with bombs and sophisticated weapons.
The Khundrakpam MLA also criticised the CM for not going to Delhi to resolve the crisis when volunteers of Youth of Manipur are in the national capital seeking solution and spending nights on the footpath.
As a leader of the state, he should lead the MLAs and youth in meeting the Prime Minister under the slogan of 'One voice, One resolution'.
The CM should be held responsible for any unwanted issues faced by the Manipur youth in Delhi, he said, while asking the CM to be bold and take up step for seeking an appointment with the Prime Minister so as to resolve the crisis at the earliest.
The MLA further said that he and his party are always standing for the unity and integrity of the state, and they would not budge from this stand.
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee working president Kh Devabrata was also present at the press meet.