Ex-MLA Anand tongue lashes incumbent CM, legislators
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 09 2023: Denouncing inability of the government to end the ethnic conflict which has been raging for over seven months and restore peace and normalcy in the state, former MLA Rk Anand contended that the present government, chief minister, cabinet ministers and the MLAs could be assumed as obsolete.

Speaking to media persons at his Kwakeithel Akham Leikai residence, here, on Saturday, RK Anand questioned why the chief minister, cabinet ministers and MLAs could not utter anything to the centre about the present situation in Manipur and further enquired why the government is hesitating to convene an assembly session for discussing the situation.

The present government in the state has no moral authority to continue as it is more like a puppet and there is no hope that it will save Manipur and work for the welfare of the people, Anand maintained, while adding that there is a strong suspicion whether the present conflict is a conspiracy to disturb the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Moreover, unceremonious removal of the chief minister as the unified command chairman appears to be a deliberate ploy to cover up lapses by the present regime, he continued and questioned the rationale of the order issued by the Manipur Governor on May 31 that the CM may convene security meeting whenever necessary in-spite of being relinquished from the charge as the command chairman.

Rk Anand further pointed out that the indifferent attitude of the central government towards Manipur has been reflected in the inexplicable silence being maintained by the Prime Minister over the crisis in Manipur.

While strongly condemning the brutal murder of 13 Meetei youths at Leithao village on December 4, he asked whether the state government has taken up any investigation to find out who killed them, who are behind the killing and whether the government would brand the victims as insurgents.

All the family members of the deceased claimed that they all left home to save Manipur, Rk Anand reminded.

Is it enough to say that the territorial integrity of Manipur is being protected by simply deploying security forces in Sekmai and Sugnu and in periphery areas of the valley, he enquired, while stating that the government should reach out to the border areas if it claims that there is still a government in the state.

Later, those attending the press conference including members of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Kendra Integrity, Unity and Peace Committee observed one minute's silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls of 13 youths.

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