Cong decries separate administration demand
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 15 2023: The Congress party on Monday strongly condemned the 10 MLAs from different parties including the ruling BJP for raising demand for separate administration in the wake of the ethnic clashes that broke out on May 3 .

Terming the demand as a serious is-sue having potential to incite further unrest and deploring such a concept amid different sections of the society making efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the state, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president MLA K Meghachandra said that Congress party will stand firm against any such demands for bifurcation of the state.

Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhawan here on Monday, Meghachandra said the party has al-ways been striving for peace and unity among the different communities of the state.

The same sentiment is also among the different sections of the society.

However, the demand for a separate administration raised by the 10 MLAs is cause for serious concern and Congress party will not compromise on unity and integrity of Manipur with anything, he affirmed.

While categorically stating that the party is not satisfied with measures taken up by the government to restore peace and normalcy even after 12 days of the violence, he suggested that Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker should not remain silent over the matter as the demand is breach of oath the MLAs took at the time of becoming members of the legislative assembly.

Meghachandra also decried the silence of the Governor of Manipur over the matter.

Terming as unfortunate that some members of the ruling party are trying to dissolve the government and bifurcate the state, he affirmed that the Congress party will not remain silent when such unreasonable demands are raised from within the ruling party and the party (Congress) will fight against it.

The party will stand for the integrity and unity of the state till the last breath, he said.

Meghachandra also slammed the government for its alleged failure to provide adequate essential items to the displaced people living in relief camps.

On the other hand, no concrete measures could be seen even though large num-bers of central paramilitary forces have been deployed in the state.

More than 10 houses were burned on Sunday and it raised the question on the efficiency of central paramilitary forces.

Series of incidents reported from different parts of the state even after heavy deployment of central forces testify total failure of the government.

At the same time, there is confusing situation regarding prom-ulgation of Article 355, he said.

Despite the continued attack on public lives and properties, the government is saying nothing against such unlawful activities, he said while asking if the gov-ernment is playing its duty responsibly.

Union ministers line up in the state when there were festivals and fairs but no minister could be seen even after 12 days of unrest and chaos in the state, Meghachandra continued and questioned measures taken up to restore the paralysed functions of the government.

Meanwhile, CLP leader and former chief minister Okram lbobi expressed hope that the 10 MLAs, who raised a demand for separate ad-ministration, will come to sense and withdraw their demand.

It must be their overwhelming sentiment that led to such outburst and Con-gress party only hopes that they will realise the importance of resolving the issue on the table.

The party does not believe that Prime Minister and union home minister will do anything to disintegrate Manipur, he said.

Considering gravity of the situation role of the Central government in defusing the tension will be crucial at this juncture.

During the ten-ure of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Khalistani movement was a major headache in the west while in the northeast, Mizo National Front (MNF) declared an independent Mizoram and hoisted flags in every institutes in Mizoram.

At that time, the former Prime Minister took firm measures and even resorted to aerial bombing in order to uphold the unity and integrity of India.

She lost her life while protecting the unity of India, lbobi recounted.

After her death, when her son Rajiv Gandhi became the Prime Minister, MNF demanded integration of Churachandpur from Manipur into Mizoram while agreeing to give up their liberation demand.

However, the then Congress government took a firm stand for Manipur and rejected MNF's demand, he reminded.

lbobi further said that it was during the ten-ure of Congress government that the decision to construct boundary fencing after proper demarcation was adopted.

Later, the Congress government in the state requested the Centre to construct boundary fencing in a time bound manner.

Had the boundary fencing work been completed in time, the state would not face the current situation of cross border arms smuggling and influx of illegal immigrants as well as drug smuggling.

The Central government should give top priority in this regard, he said.

Regarding the violence that unfolded in the state from May 3 onwards, the former CM said that it is time for all sections of the state to let go the past, and work towards restoring peace and normalcy through the principle of forget and forgive.

Congress party would like to request the Central government to conduct proper survey to assess the extent of damage done to properties during the clashes and launch special scheme to rehabilitate and compensate the displaced people, he said.

Expressing concern over the continued vi-olence in sensitive zones like Churachandpur, Moreh and foothill areas, the CLP leader said that the central paramilitary forces sent into the state should be deployed in those sensitive zones to contain the violence.

Deploying additional strength of security forces in tense areas could help in speeding up the process to restore peace.

At the same time, inability of the government to ensure a safe passage for trucks carrying essential commodities along the highway is a serious matter and it should be addressed at the earliest, he said.

lbobi also stressed the need for constituting an enquiry commission or investigation through an independent SIT or commission to find out the root of the riots in order to prevent recurrence of the same in the future.

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