Arthur prods nations conscience on Manipur issue, slams budget
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 30 2024: Outer Manipur MP Alfred Kanngam Arthur on Tuesday questioned the nation s treatment of Manipur and criticised the 2024-25 budget as anti-people.

In his speech in the Lok Sabha, the MP highlighted the dire situation in Manipur, which has been plagued by conflict, floods, and economic hardships for the past 15 months, while contending that the budget has failed to address these challenges.

Arthur said the budget presented by the finance minister has undermined the need to address severe economic challenges besieging Manipur.

"Manipur is the lowest per capita income bearing state with the highest inflation," he stated and wondered how the state, already struggling with low income and high prices, is expected to survive under such conditions.

Arthur pointed out that Manipur has endured the worst floods in 35 years, yet the finance minister's budget does not reflect any understanding or empathy towards the state's plight.

"You already have a conflict.

You've had the worst floods in the last 35 years, unprecedented floods that we have ever seen.

And the finance minister, she grins from ear to ear, she smiles and she places a budget that is anti-people," he said.

Arthur stressed that it does not require rocket science to discern what is people friendly and what goes against the interests of the nation.

He invoked his family's legacy, particularly his grand uncle Major Bob Khathing, who played a significant role in the integration of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh into India.

"He is the gentleman responsible for our nation celebrating that area today.

He is my real grand uncle.

The name that I have today was given by him," Arthur mentioned, underscoring sacrifices his family has made for the nation.

Expressing his deep concern over the current situation in Manipur, Arthur said, ' Today, you are burning my state.

I don't think when he (Bob Khathing) went and proceeded ahead doing service to this nation way back in the 50s, did he ever think that this nation would let go of his own people, which he so fondly called as his people and his nation".

Arthur highlighted the Prime Minister and BJP members' repeated assurances of justice but questioned where justice is today.

"They said justice will be delivered and I want to ask where is justice today.

We are not betrayers of this nation.

We have helped build this nation.

We deserve an equal budget," he asserted.

He also expressed disillusionment with the current state of affairs, reflecting on his upbringing in a diverse and inclusive India.

"This nation, I have been brought up to believe, is bigger than individuals.

This nation I've believed, I've grown, played with, wandered around with, studied with, with wonderful friends across different races, different religions, different communities, and yet I have never felt in my life a need for saying that I am a Christian today.

I don't ever want to ever speak out that I am Christian or I am Hindu, I am Muslim," he said.

Arthur lamented that he now feels the need to assert his identity within the nation's rules and laws.

The debutant parliamentarian implored the Central government to uphold the ideals of the nation and to represent the wills and desires of the electorate.

He also recounted the consistent presence of union ministers in Manipur since the NDA government came to power in 2014 but noted their absence since May 3, 2023, when violence broke out in the state.

"Every single week, we would see a union minister.

Today, not a single minister was seen in Manipur, why? Where are they today after the 3rd May 2023?" he asked.

Arthur voiced his disappointment with the Prime Minister's lack of response to the cries of Manipur's citizens, particularly women and children who have been displaced and unable to return home.

"Your countrymen, your citizens in Manipur are not getting enough food for the last 15 months.

Whom should they complain to? Your chief minister, words of killing, beating come out of his mouth every day.

What is this? Is this my country? Did my family sacrifice to see this country?" he questioned.

The Congress MP also highlighted the dire situation of the majority Meetei community in the Manipur valley, unable to move freely due to the ongoing conflict.

"On the South, they cannot go beyond Moirang.

On the Southeastern side, they cannot go beyond Pallel.

On the Eastern side, they cannot go beyond Yaingangpokpi.

On the Northern side, they cannot go beyond Kanglatongbi," he pointed out.

As the chairwoman rang the bell indicating lapse of his allotted time slot, Arthur implored her saying, "Madam, 15 months, my people have borne this conflict.

You can at least listen to me for 15 minutes without pressing the buzzer.

Please, I will be grateful.

I think we have earned that much of time at least 15 months," he pleaded.

"We have stayed neutral to this conflict in letter and in spirit, hoping that our neutrality would one day usher in peace," said MP, who belongs to the Naga tribe.

He thanked the Leader of Opposition (LOP) for visiting Manipur three times, along with representatives from various parties along.

"I am so grateful that they have kept alive the Manipur issue in this August house, telling the people of our nation that Manipur should come first," he added.

During the LOP's visit, the delegation had an audience with the Governor at 5 PM.

"We requested the Governor to take the help of Naga leaders and send them to both the Kuki and Meetei areas to foster peace," he explained and also suggested replacing the current chief minister, who has been accused by some of inflaming the conflict.

"You have 49 other members in your state assembly apart from the chief minister.

The Prime Minister can replace him immediately with no questions asked," he asserted.

Arthur questioned why it was so difficult to replace one man to bring peace to the area.

"If you can't bring peace and justice in just a small state, what can you do in such a big country?" he asked.

He also criticised the budget for its lack of focus on the Northeast, particularly in terms of tourism.

"This budget has talked about tourism in the rest of the country but has mentioned nothing about tourism in the Northeast," he noted and highlighted presence of Northeast youngsters in the hospitality sector across the country, due to joblessness in their home region.

"If tourism were encouraged in the Northeast, our people wouldn't have to look to the rest of the country for survival," he said while urging the finance minister to include the Northeast in the national tourism map and to promote tourism in the region.

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