MLA Joykisan moots joint meeting on crisis
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 21 2024: Thangmeiband MLA Khumukcham Joykisan has called for a joint meeting of MLAs, civil society organisations (CSOs), and public to discuss a unified approach to address the current crisis in the state.

Speaking in a condolence meeting organised by Thangmeiband Kendra Development Organisation (TKDO) on Thursday afternoon, Joykisan said it would be a prudent step for all stakeholders to deliberate on the way forward.

The condolence meeting, held at the community hall near Khoyathong Pukhri Achouba, was organised in honour of the six children and women hostages killed by Kuki militants following the November 11 incident in Jiribam.

Joykisan emphasised that pressuring MLAs to declare their stand was less effective than a joint sitting involving MLAs, CSOs, and the public.

There is nobody who does not love the state.

Everyone wants to protect it, he stated.

Joykisan revealed that he was unable to attend a recent meeting of ruling MLAs convened by the chief minister due to medical treatment outside the state, along with acknowledging public's dissatisfaction on resolutions of the said meeting.

The MLA stated that in the formative stages of the crisis he had proposed that a joint delegation of MLAs, including the chief minister, meet the Prime Minister to address the situation, apart from mulling resignation as MLA in protest.

However, the chief minister said that he is in constant touch with the union home minister, Joykisan said.

He clarified that his MLA post held no value compared to the state and its people and pledged to resign or even sacrifice his life for the state's cause if necessary.

Denouncing the brutal killing of six hostages in Jiribam, Joykisan stressed that true justice would only be served when the perpetrators are made to repent for their inhumane act.

Reflecting on the solidarity shown by the Meetei people during the outrage over the naked parade of two Kuki women earlier, he urged Kuki MLAs and student organisations to similarly condemn the Jiribam incident and ensure the perpetrators are handed over to authorities.

Only then, he said, could it be accepted that the Kuki community does not condone such insensible violence.

Addressing the calls for the resignation of the 40 valley-based MLAs, Joykisan cautioned that such a move would unnecessarily dissolve the state assembly.

He noted that the Centre could always make alternative arrangements, including forming a government with the 10 Naga and 10 Kuki MLAs.

The public would then raise questions about the role of the 40 MLAs, he said, urging caution against hasty decisions without considering potential repercussions.

Joykisan also recounted the November 16 incident when violent protestors stormed his home, claiming that he instructed his security escorts not to use firearms and attempted to communicate with the protestors over the phone, believing they were genuine demonstrators.

However, the group turned out to be looters who even vandalised religious items including the altar of Lainingthou Sanamahi, picture of Ibudhou Pakhangba, and a Shiv Mandir at his residence.

Considering their acts, he cannot ignore the fact that the mob was against the Meetei community and its religion, he remarked.

Joykisan urged the community to avoid internal discard, stating that in such a crucial situation, discord among the community would be a laughing stock for the other side.

Meanwhile, TAKDO Women's Wing general secretary Loitongbam Sundari strongly condemned the Jiribam incident.

She announced that TAKDO would launch an intense agitation if the government fails to arrest the perpetrators within a week.

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