Opp parties urge Uikey to arrange meet with PM
Nothing visible done to resolve violence: Ibobi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 17 2023: As many as 10 political parties have urged Governor Anusuiya Uikey to arrange a meeting with all political parties active in Manipur with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in order to find a solution to the Manipur crisis.

Governor Anusuiya Uikey assured that she would pursue the Prime Minister for initiating talks with all political parties in the State, conveyed a press release issued by the Raj Bhavan.

A delegation of the 10 Opposition parties comprising MPCC president K Meghachandra, CLP leader O Ibobi, CWC Member Gaikhangam, JD(U) Manipur spokesman Dr Nimaichand Luwang, JD(U) Manipur vice-presidents Dr Kh Loken Singh, O Nabakishore, CPI(M) State secretary Ksh Shanta, CPI Manipur State Council exsecretary L Sotinkumar, NCP Manipur president S Iboyaima, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) Manipur president T Devananda, AIFB Manipur secretary Kh Gyaneshore, Th Bishwanath of AAP, AITC Manipur convenor Th Inaocha and RSP secretary K Manoranjan called on the Governor at the Raj Bhavan this afternoon and submitted a memorandum.

Later briefing media persons at Congress Bhavan, CLP leader O Ibobi decried that the double-engine BJP Government of the Centre and the State have not done anything tangible till date to bring a solution to the more than six months old Manipur crisis.

The Government has been maintaining a deafening silence all these days without ever bothering to restore peace in the troubled State, he said.

Even though all sections of people in Manipur now long for peace, the Government has not done anything to facilitate dialogue between the two parties in conflict, he remarked.

If the Government is committed to bringing a solution to the protracted crisis, it must convene a joint meeting with representatives of both the communities, Ibobi said.

Earlier representatives of 10 like-minded political parties went to Delhi and camped there for almost weeks seeking an audience with the Prime Minister in order to work out a solution to the Manipur crisis but the Prime Minister left for the USA without meeting the political delegation from Manipur, he recalled.

With both the Central Government and the State Government doing nothing till date to bring a solution to the protracted crisis, the Opposition parties have been left highly agitated and helpless, he said.

"Our request to the Governor to arrange a meeting with the Prime Minister is devoid of any intention to score political mileage.

It's no time for political blame-game", said the former Chief Minister.

But it is the duty and responsibility of the incumbent BJP Government to uphold law and order and bring a solution to the violent crisis, he asserted.

If the State Government is unable to bring a solution to the crisis, it must seek help from the Centre.

There is a BJP Government at the Centre too, he said.

The CLP leader appealed to the Governor to arrange a meeting between representatives of all political parties and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Manipur.

If the Prime Minister is too busy to visit Manipur, the Governor may arrange a meeting with the Prime Minister at Delhi and help in exploring a solution to the Manipur crisis, Ibobi said.

"We appealed to the Governor to go to Delhi and arrange a meeting between the Prime Minister and delegates of Opposition parties of Manipur", he conveyed.

"We also appealed to the Governor to advise the State Government as the constitutional head of the Government to take up concrete steps towards finding a solution to the violence", Ibobi continued.

Dr Nimaichand Luwang said that delegates of all political parties went to Delhi and sought help from the Centre whenever there was any serious issue in the State.

The current crisis has been dragging on for too long, he said.

All the 10 Opposition parties strongly condemn the act of threatening veteran politician O Joy by an unknown man through social media, Dr Nimaichand said.

It is a matter of grave concern that some armed persons have been threatening many people including public figures, he said.

Saying that the State Government has failed miserably in maintaining law and order, Dr Nimaichand demanded an immediate halt to all acts of threatening O Joy.

He dismissed the ITLF's declaration to set up self-government for Kuki-Zo people even if the same is not recognised by the Central Government and the State Government as just a pipe dream.

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