Ex-MLA Loken slams CM Biren for belittling Meira Paibi
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 27 2023: Taking serious note of the remark by chief minister N Biren on Meira Paibi activists and their movement, Janata Dal United (JD-U) Manipur state vice-president ex MLA Kh Loken has termed the CM's remark as unfortunate while reminding that that it is due to the women vigilantes' swift response that prevented more crisis-related devastation.

Addressing a press meet at the party's Palace Compound office on Tuesday, Loken asked the CM not to belittle the sleepless nights spent by Meira Paibi members, who are shouldering the responsibility of maintaining vigil as his government failed to protect the lives and properties of the people.

It is also the failure of the government that forced the public to take up arms and defend themselves, Loken affirmed while reiterated that the state would have seen a far more devastation had the mothers and youths not took it upon themselves to defend the people.

He also asked the govern ment not to threaten villag ers or Meira Paibi activists.

Regarding the alleged indifferent attitude of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur issue, the ex MLA said that the PM could have at least met his party's MLAs before leaving for the US even if he did not have time to meet others.

It shows how BJP treats the state.

So far, over 100 people have been killed and over 50,000 people taking refuge in re lief camps.

In a disaster of such magnitude, what could possibly a mere package of Rs 101 crore do, he posed.

Loken further said that the government has no right to blame the public if it has no power to control the violence at the first place.

There is no clarity if Article 355 is imposed or not, while on the other hand, the latest development only raised suspicion of a possible set tlement through bifurcation of administration, he added.

Joining the media briefing, JD-U chief spokesperson Dr Nimaichand Luwang said that the all-party meet convened by union home minister Amit Shah was a smokescreen to show that BJP cares for Manipur.

The only representative from Manipur in the meeting was former chief minister Okram Ibobi and if Amit Shah cared for the state, he should have focused on the former CM's observation.

Unfortunately, he sharply denied the lat-ter's request for some extra minutes.

Another disturbing aspect that surfaced up after the meeting is that the Central government seems to be busy counting the bodies as it only cares to point out no more deaths after June 13, he contended.

The ex-MLA also raised concern over the remark of chief minister N Biren, who suggested state taking control of the valley while the Centre handling the affairs in the hills.

Such arrangement is against the provisions of the Constitution of the country, he pointed out while demanding a clarification in this regard.

Dr Nimaichand also raised the claim of UKLF chief regarding the nexus between SoO militant groups and BJP central leaders at the time of elections and said that such tacit understanding helped the party in securing seats in Kuki areas.

This crisis could be the first step towards fulfilling their promises made to the Kuki militant groups, he alleged.

Taking into account of an arrangement for creation of autonomous territorial council for six districts of eastern Nagaland also known as Eastern Frontier, there are strong possibility of a similar arrangement in Manipur, Dr Nimaichand opined and contended that considering the evolving situation in the state, it would not be wrong to assert that Manipur always suffer whenever there is BJP rule.

According to JD-U Central Council member Samuel Jendai, the shadow of separate administration between hill and valley has created a sense of insecurity and it testifies inability of the present government.

He demanded the chief minister to resign on moral ground and let a capable leader from within the BJP lead the government.

He also denounced union home minister Amit Shah for misleading the nation by claiming that there has been no death since June 13, and also demanded his resignation on moral ground.

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