Dr Bimol slams PR extension, seeks fresh mandate
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 30 2025: Inner Manipur MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam on Wednesday launched a scathing attack in the Lok Sabha against the extension of President's Rule in the state, calling for immediate dissolution of the Assembly and a fresh mandate to pave the way for restoration of a popular government.

Describing the ongoing crisis in Manipur as "unprecedented" and a "living reality of Partition," Dr Bimol accused the Union government of colluding with the then government in Manipur to perpetuate a prolonged constitutional breakdown and deliberately marginalise the people of Manipur.

Speaking during a session that discussed the extension of President's Rule, Dr Bimol reminded the House that when the motion was first introduced, representatives from Manipur were not given an opportunity to speak, despite extensive discussions on other issues.

Dr Bimol slams PR extension, seeks fresh mandate

"I hope the Chair will give me adequate time to express the sentiments of the people of the state as a representative from there," he said.

Drawing a parallel with the Parliament's discussion on the crisis in Operation Sindoor and incidents in Kashmir, Dr Bimol questioned why similar attention had not been extended to Manipur, which has been in the grip of unrest for more than two years.

"Just as the terrorists came from Pakistan and created havoc and tried to divide this country on communal lines, the Union Home minister, on this floor of the House on August 9, 2023, said that the crisis in Manipur was caused by the influx of illegal immigrants," he recalled.

The MP further cited intelligence reports suggesting involvement of armed groups from Myanmar, likening the situation in Manipur to what had been witnessed in Pahalgam.

"Ironically, Manipur was also called a little paradise, just as Kashmir is called the paradise.

The only difference is that national attention is given to Kashmir, not to Manipur," he said, adding such neglect has created a sense of alienation and humiliation for the people of the state.

Dr Bimol expressed dismay that no formal condolence was offered by the House or the Prime Minister following the passing of Ratan Thiyam, a globally acclaimed theatre personality from Manipur.

"However big you are and however great your contribution, if you are from Manipur, your passing goes unacknowledged," he said, calling it a "shameful reminder of how marginalised the state is" .

Questioning the rationale for President's Rule imposition in the state, Dr Bimol said the imposition was not a response to a constitutional breakdown, but a move to shield the ruling party from embarrassment.

"If it was about restoring order, it would have been done long ago," he said, citing early observations by the Supreme Court that law and order in Manipur had collapsed and constitutional machinery had failed, yet no action taken at that time.

"The President's Rule was imposed only when it became politically necessary to avoid further embarrassment," he claimed.

Dr Bimol also accused the Union government of "being in hand-in-glove with the then state government" in fuelling the crisis.

Referring to public statements by the former chief minister, the MP said, "He (Biren) himself said he did whatever he did with the consent of Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah" .

The Home Minister too, according to Bimol, had stated in Parliament that the chief minister was cooperating with the Centre.

He criticised what he described as the subversion of federal principles, alleging that the Union government was dictating terms to the state.

"Some officers of the central security forces bluntly said on record that they don't take orders from the state government but from the Union government.

Such a subversion has happened through this collusion," he said.

Arguing that Article 356 should be used only in the "rarest of the rare" situations, Dr Bimol reminded the House of the moral and legal caution exercised by Dr BR Ambedkar in 1949 while introducing the provision that later became Article 355.He also referred to the Bommai judgment and the recommendations of the Sark-aria Commission, both of which underscored that the people's mandate must be respected and such extraordinary provisions should not be used whimsically.

Despite the ruling party holding a "brutal majority" in the Assembly, it had failed to form a stable government , he said.

"In collusion with the state and Union governments, you have created this tragedy over the past two years," Dr Bimol said, adding that instead of extending President's Rule, the government should dissolve the Assembly and hold fresh elections.

He demanded that a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) be constituted to investigate the crisis and determine accountability.

"The executive conduct must have some accountability in this House," he said.

Calling for a serious and extended discussion on Manipur, Dr Bimol urged the Lok Sabha to dedicate at least five to six hours to deliberate on steps toward healing and justice.

He concluded his speech with an emotional appeal to the rest of the country.

"We have suffered constant humiliation, constantly being reminded that we don't matter.

This crisis is not just political, it is existential," he said.

Likening the ongoing situation to a civil partition, he said that citizens were unable to travel freely across the state, including on national highways, due to threats and insecurity.

"The freedom of movement has been curtailed.

All citizens should have access to their own state, but we are being denied this" .

Dr Bimol closed by urging the House to treat Manipur's crisis with the same seriousness and sensitivity shown to other national tragedies.

"Even if it is a small state, let the will of the people prevail.

Dissolve the Assembly, hold elections and let the people decide," he said.