Congress accuses BJP of bifurcating administration
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 26 2023:
Charging the BJP government of bifurcating administration in the state between Centre and state, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has strongly condemned the arrangement and demanded resignation of chief minister N Biren if he could not run the administration.
Addressing the media at Congress Bhawan here on Monday, MPCC working president Kh Debahrata questioned the rationale behind the statement of chief minister N Biren on Sunday that the 'administration' of the hills will be looked after by the Centre and in the valley by the state government.
His statement amounts to handing over the administration of hill areas to the Cen-(re, which is against the aspiration of the people of the state, he said.
Debabrata demanded the chief minister to withdraw his statement and any such arrangement, and to apologise to the public for this remark.
As the Biren government was fleeted for the whole state there is no reason for him to remain as the chief minister if he cannot run the government as a whole, the MPCC functionary said and questioned the ground for such arrangement, especially when Article 355 is not promulgated in the state.
He also clarified that Congress is demanding replacement of the chief minister and not President's Rule.
On the other hand, Debabrata said, Congress wants to know the ground for Centre's policy to resolve the crisis by initiating talks with Kuki militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement and non SoO militant groups from across the bor-der.
Is it because of the partnership between BJP Central leaders and SoO militants or is it because of the state government lacking understanding on the issue, he enquired.
There is an allegation of BJP colluding with the SoO militants to secure power in the state in recent elections.
Amid such issues, another assurance towards their long pending homeland or separate administration will only worsen the situation and might become a major cause of concern for internal security, he opined.
Alleging that the Central government lacks commitment to resolve the crisis, Debabrata opined that the ethnic violence could have been contained had the union home minister, during his visit to the state, issued strong instructions to confined SoO cadres within their designated camps.
Moreover, had the union home minister succeeded in reopening the NH 2 from the clutch of Kuki militants during his visit, the crisis would have ended long ago, he said.
While acknowledging the sentiments of
Union MoS RK Ranjan and PHE minister L Susindro over the arson attack on their properties, the party, however, decries the ministers for not raising the threats faced by farmers, who came under heavy gunfire from Kuki militants while trying to carry out their farming activities in the foothills, he said.
Debabrata also questioned audacity of SoO militants to set up bunkers, especially in valley areas while pointing out that the real victims of the crisis are the innocent civilians on both sides.
Civilians are forced to take up arms either by the SoO militants in the hills and by the prevailing situation, he said.
Debabrata further said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wants to visit the state to take stocks of the situation but the state government is not ready to permit the same citing the situation.
However, the party will keep insisting to get the approval, he added.
Other MPCC leaders also attended the press conference.