TC delegation assures to help solve Manipur crisis
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 19 2023:
A five-member fact-finding MP team of Trinamool Congress arrived here on Wednesday to assess the ground situation and reality amid the ongoing conflict that started on May 3.The violence broke out after a tribal solidarity march organised by ATSUM turned violent in Churachandpur district.
The delegation, led by Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien, includes Lok Sabha MP and chief whip Kalyan Banerjee, Lok Sabha MP & deputy leader Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen, and Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev.
Upon their arrival at Imphal Airport, members of Trinamool Congress Manipur warmly welcomed the visiting delegation.
Addressing the media at the airport, Sushmita Dev stated that the TMC team is in Manipur under the initiative of party leader and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to help restore peace and normalcy in the region.
She further expressed the party's commitment to support the people of Manipur in the parliament and emphasised their desire for peace and harmonious coexistence in the state.
MP Dola Sen also shared that purpose of their Manipur is to listen to the grievances of the common people and convey the same to Mamata Banerjee for further action.
She said that they will gather report from the ground by visiting different parts of the state and meeting affected people.
After gathering the report, the party vvill bring up the matter in the Parliament, she said.
Later in the evening, Kalyan Banerjee, Dr Kakoli Ghosh, Dola Sen and Sushmita Dev nteet Governor Anusuiya Ui-key and apprised her about the deteriorating law and order situation in the state saddled with the miseries faced by those displaced people who have been taking shelter in different relief camps in both the hills and valley districts.
During the meeting, the delegation informed the Governor about the shortage of essential items especially baby food and medicines and discussed issues, inter alia, pertaining to restore peace and tranquillity in the state through an amicable and peaceful dialogue.
The Governor made an appeal to the delegation to extend their fullest cooperation in the interest of the people of Manipur to restore peace and harmony .
The team also assured the Governor that they will ex- the issue and bring peace and tranquillity so that all those displaced people will be able to settle down at their respective places.
Earlier, upon their arrival at Imphal airport from Kolkata, the delegation immediately embarked on a helicopter tour to Churachandpur district headquarters.
During their stay in the border state, the team plans to visit several relief camps, Sushmita Dev told reporters at the airport that Mamata Banerjee had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier and wanted to visit the state.
But the home minister did not facilitate her visit.
Later, she directed the five to visit the state for a day or two.
The Rajya Sabha MP said the TMC chief has instructed us to meet members of all the communities and people of all religions to understand the ground reality.
Sen said, "We are here to hear the plight of the common Sushmita Dev emphasised that both the people of West Bengal and AITC advocate for peace and peaceful coexistence among the ethnic communities residing in Manipur.
She assured the people of Manipur that AITC would stand by them in the Parliament.
The delegation's visit comes amid criticism of the central and state government, -particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders, for their alleged failure in curbing the acts of violence in Manipur.
It is noteworthy that despite the AlTC's visit and concern about the situation, there is not a single elected legislator of the party in the 60-member Manipur legislative assembly.
The TMC has been alleging that "divisive" policies of the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Manipur have led to the ethnic strife which has claimed over 150 lives.