Curb on lifelines Centre's issue: MP Bimol
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 17 2025: The conflict in Manipur escalated to the present point due to the failure of the government in controlling the same in time.

If one is to clean a mess, there is a need to make preparations but Manipur's situation says otherwise, stated Lok Sabha MP Dr Angomcha Bimol.

"Kuki and Meeteis remain at odds with each other, while freedom of movement is restricted and the IDPs continue to languish in relief camps.

Thus, there is a need for the people to rise together against the movement restricting the lifelines of the state.

All of these are issues of the central government and need a political will and thinking to breakdown all the wrong thoughts," the MP stated while speaking at a public discourse organised by Nobo Foundation, Palace Com pound on the theme of Manipur Crisis: Issue of Governance and political leadership" at Dharmalaya Social Welfare Centre, Brahmapur Nahabam, Imphal on Saturday.

Dr Bimol noted that the current state of Manipur is an accumulation of the government's mistakes, explaining that politics is not all about voting but monitoring and ensuring a quality of life for the people.

"If the people misuse violence, it is bad for the state.

The present conflict saw the state descend into anarchy.

As such, there is a need to analyse the prevailing culture of assaulting a candidate contesting for an election in a democracy," he remarked.

Bimol also shared his experience of having his name removed when he attempted to discuss the SoO agreement in Parliament, noting that the public is often compelled to remain silent on critical issues.

As such, the people need to question whether their rights are being violated.

Congress signed the SoO agreement and the same was renewed by BJP.

This is not for the parties to quibble about but raise questions on the meaning of the agreement and the adherence to ground rules in view of the current situation, he added.

The MP then said that the conflict has put immense burden on farming activities, leading to huge financial losses for farmers.

"There is need to help farmers get back to their life and others back to their normal lives, which will help bring about good governance.

We need to stop voting based on connections but rather on who would be best for the state".

He further observed that in a democracy, the people are the parents who handed over the responsibility for five years to their children.

The current crisis arose from poor governance.

While the central government continues to view it as an ethnic problem, the issue is not against any community but against communal politics.

The Meetei's wish for harmony and unity is not a sign of weakness but for the benefit of all, he said, while explaining that the term genocide is being used loosely.

Asserting that the post-colonial practices are evident in the governance of Manipur, Bimol said that while it may have "offended" some people, this is not completely baseless.

Due to the conflict, it is now being implied that Manipur has always been in conflict, which is wrong.

This problem is due to India s policy process for the state, he asserted, and stressed the need for all to understand this matter.

The MP further said that people need to have the awareness on how politics can be divisive, the roles that leaders play and the people s role in this regard.

While facing any crisis, one must avoid being narrow-minded, he stated and urged for collective efforts in treating the "sickness" brought on by years of divisive processes.

Retired IAS Dr RK Nimai, Imphal Review of Arts and Politics editor Pradip Phanjoubam, advocate Brahmacharimayum Supriya Devi and retired Lt Col Dr Tensubam Hemo Singh also attended the event as spokespersons.

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