Lawyers protest centre's indifference to state
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 21 2024:
Reacting against the indifferent attitude of the central government to Manipur in-spite of the state enduring humanitarian crisis for the last 14 months, All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) in collaboration with High Court Bar Association organised a sit-in protest at Cheirap Court complex, here, on Friday.
Speaking to reporters on the side-lines, AMBA president Tomcha Puyam reasoned that the agitation was carried along with bar associations of Bishnupur and Thoubal districts to denounce lack of initiative by the centre to resolve the crisis in the state.
The manner in which culprits responsible for the crisis are set free while crackdowns are being launched against innocent Meetei victims is not acceptable and condemned in the strongest terms, he said.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the central government's preference for those responsible for exacerbating the crisis in Manipur, Tomcha called on the authorities to uphold the rule of law in the state and peacefully resolve the crisis.
The central government, instead of protecting the crisis victims, is attempting to project the ongoing conflict, initiated by some Kuki-Zomi individuals against the Meetei community, as ethnic violence, which is unacceptable and regrettable.
Senior advocate Khaidem Mani, who was also present, stated that the incumbent chief minister is effectively under house arrest.
While no official statement has been issued, the state's circumstances strongly suggest a state of PR and emergency.
The state government lacks the authority to speak or act independently.
Law and order as well as administration have been forcefully taken overby the central government.
The current state government exists in name only and cannot take any action without the approval from the central government.
The absence of the chief minister from the recent high-level security meeting in Delhi suggests disregard of Manipur's government.
The central government's strategy appears to involve manipulating the Meeteis while allowing Kuki terrorists free rein, potentially destroying Manipur.
Such an approach is part of the ploy by the central government to shirk responsibility and attribute destruction of Manipur to the internal conflicts between the Kukis and Meeteis, Khaidem Mani said.