Cong advises Govt to use 'Yatra' as tool for peace
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 12 2024:
As the people of Manipur want peace to be restored in the state, the N Biren-led BJP government in the state should try to utilise the upcoming walk of peace, 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', as a tool to restore peace in the state, stated All India Congress Committee (AICC) Manipur in-charge Girish Chodankar.
Addressing a press meet at Congress Bhawan, here on Friday, Girish Choukadar said that the historic Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' will be kicked off from the state.
The walk is neither politically motivated nor solely for Congress party, but meant for the country and it is a call for justice to various sections of the society.
The walk is to carry the message of peace and hope, aimed at ushering in peace in Manipur which has been 'burning' for the past few months.
The people of Manipur want peace and as such, the BJP government should utilise the walk and use it as a platform for restoring peace in the state, he reiterated.
Alleging that CM Biren does not want peace to be restored in the state, Chodankar said that both the national and state BJP are terrified of the Yatra, of which Rahul Gandhi is the ambassador.
Although the rally is basically of the masses, the government has been blocking the same as it does not want Rahul Gandhi's message of peace and unity to be delivered across the country, the AICC functionary stressed.
He recounted that as part of the preparations for the Yatra, the president of MPCC had submitted a request on January 2 to the relevant authorities for permission to kick off the Yatra from Hapta Kangjeibung.
However, as no confirmation was received, a meeting was held with the chief minister.
Subsequently, the union home minister issued an order permitting for a limited number of people to gather at Hapta Kangjeibung.
Such behaviour of the state government was highly unfortunate, he added.
Former chief minister O Ibobi, who also attended the press meet, recalled that AlCC had previously carried out a Bharat Jodo Yatra' from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.
Later, after a detailed deliberation, AICC decided to launch the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', from Manipur to Mumbai, Maharashtra on January 14.Although the MPCC president submitted a written request to the authorities concerned on January 2, the government kept delaying the same, refusing to give confirmation.
Even if the non-confirmation was in view of security reasons, the same could have been intimated early on.
Instead, the permission was denied till the last minute to disrupt the preparations, he opined.
Meanwhile, the chief ministers of Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh have expressed their intention of joining the Yatra and as such, Congress needs to make the necessary preparations, he conveyed.
Questioning if the BJP is afraid of Rahul Gandhi's rally, Ibobi pointed out that the chief minister had claimed on multiple occasions that peace has been restored in the state during functions related to BJP.
However, the refusal to grant permission for the Yatra has raised questions of whether the government is afraid of Congress.
Nonetheless, the Yatra will be kicked off from a private land in Khongjom.
He continued that it is the responsibility of the government to maintain law and order and safeguard public property.
As such, Ibobi expressed belief that the government would extend their cooperation to the rally and ensure full protection by the law agencies, while assuring that the participants will strictly abide by the guidelines provided by the agencies.
Informing that the Yatra would be flagged off by the AICC president Malikarjun Kharge, Ibobi stated that the rally is a historic moment for Congress.
He then urged the people of Manipur to participate in the rally.
The press meet was also attended by MPCC president K Meghachandra and.
Working Congress Committee member Gaikhangam and other party leaders.