'Time to showcase assembly could take own stand'
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 07 2023: Socio-political commentator Chongtham Bijoy has said that time has come to showcase to the Centre that Manipur Legislative Assembly can take a resolution on its own to safeguard the state by convening a special session.

Addressing media persons at his Lamphelpat residence Monday, Bijoy said convening special session of Manipur Legislative Assembly is imperative amidst the on-going conflict as even the Parliament is being adjourned repeatedly over the Manipur issue.

The state assembly should produce a road-map regarding the on-going conflict and place the same to the Parliament.

Irrespective of whether the Centre agrees or not, the state assembly should take a decisive resolution commensurate with law of the country and do the needful, he added.

According to Ch Bijoy, it has been very long that ad ministration of Manipur remained under remote control of the Centre and even the elected members wait for approval of the Centre before taking any decision, be it critical or very ordinary one.

Time has corrie to ascertain whether the Centre approves or not the resolution taken on its own by the state assembly.

If the state continues to wait for the Centre to solve all the problems, there is no need for having ministers, MLAs and state assembly, he said adding it would be better to have President's Rule if the legislators remain inactive amidst the present condition of life and death for the state.

While stating that Manipur is currently facing threats from three fronts, Ch Bijoy said the on-going Meetei-Kuki conflict falls under law & order problem and it is a state subject.

However, the number of Central forces deployed in Manipur at present clearly indicates that there is a big external threat.

As of now, around 70,000 central forces have been deployed in Manipur and the state also has its own force of around 45,000 and utilising all these security personnel to contain Meetei-Kuki conflict is very large, he said adding that ground reality clearly indicates that there is serious external threat and the same has been corroborated by remarks of some leaders.

While welcoming minister Nemcha Kipgen's warning to file legal suit against him, Ch Bijoy said a case relating to his expulsion from BJP is still pending in court and it indeed was a contempt of court that the minister gave opinion on a pending case.

Accordingly, preparation for filing a defamation suit against minister Nemcha Kipgen has been made, he added.

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