Governor urged to consult centre on crisis in state
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 15 2023: Former MLAs 0 Joy, Dr Ng Bijoy, RK Anand and E Chand met Governor Anu-suiya Uikey on Monday and submitted a memorandum urging her to propose to the central government to amicably resolve the restive situation besieging the state.

Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club after meeting the Governor, 0 Joy, who is also Manipur Pradesh Congress Commit-tee (MPCC) spokesperson, expressed confusion over conflicting reports about imposition of Article 355 in the state after clashes broke out on May 3.Whatever the case, de-ployment of additional security forces in the state and appointment of Kuldiep Singh as security advisor and Ashutosh Sinha as op-erational commander by the centre proves that the Union government has intervened in the state administration, he added.

0 Joy also commended the role of state and para-military forces, CSOs, social activists and public as well as the resolution taken in the all-political party meet at a time when the state is in deep crisis.

Stressing that everyone must realise that violence does not benefit anyone, he regretted loss of lives, burn-ing of houses and damage to properties in the riots.

0 Joy also observed that in-spite of semblance of normalcy returning in the state it will take some time for people to trust one an-other again.

In such a fragile situation, all should forgive and forget and try to build ' the bridges for living har-moniously, he appealed.

The ex-MLA further condemned the demand of 10 MLAs for 'separate ad-ministration' and recounted that in the past, too similar number of MLAs submitted a letter to the Manipur Leg-islative Assembly speaker that they will resign if a separate administration is not arranged.

However, the then chief minister held a meeting with the agitated MLAs during which they revealed of being pressurised to resign.

As such, 0 Joy advised the incumbent 10 MLAs do not take decisions under duress or impulse as such a demand is feasible under the Constitution of India.

Rather the MLA should strive to ease the tension and strive to live peacefully, he appealed.

He also pointed out that though there are certain rules to be followed by the So0 signatories conduct and activities of militants under So0 is questionable.

The Union government should stop signing So0 agreements with militants whose ultimate agenda is to divide Manipur, he empha-sised, while noting that the So0 agreement purport-edly signed for protecting the integrity of the state is now becoming the reason for dividing it.

The ex-MLA also confided that the Governor was urged to intervene and ensure that probe committee consti-tuted by the government is headed by a sitting or retired judge of the Supreme Court.

On the other hand, ex-MLA RK Anand observed that the present crisis is due to mis-governance by the present government.

He also suggested that the investigation process cover situation in Chura-chandpur district prior to the May 3 incident and role of militants under So0 in the violence.

The ex-MLA also stressed that unless Kuki militants under So0 are controlled and the agreement revoked, there will be no solution to the present crisis.

The press conference was also attended by ex-MLAs Ng Bijoy and E Chand.

Meanwhile, Manipur Hu-man Rights Commission former acting chairman Khaidem Mani Singh, for-mer Judge Noutuneshwari and six advocates called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan.

Similarly, Committee on Peaceful Co-Existence Manipur convener Moham-mad Sajjad Bhuiyamayum along with nine others and a delegation of Aam Aadmi Party led by Yaingamba So-renshangbam also met with the Governor on Monday.

They presented reports on the current situation to the Governor and urged to take steps to normalise the situation.

Stating that peace and harmony has been dis-turbed, the teams urged the Governor to put all efforts to restore normalcy so that peace and tranquillity pre-vails in the state.

The teams also appreci-ated the Governor for her endeavour to contain vi-olence and expressed that her efforts for immediate relief and rehabilitation to the violence-hit people is welcomed by one and all.

The Governor maintained that restoring peace and harmony will be possible only with the efforts of all stakeholders.

The Centre has appointed security advisor and Union home minister is also moni-toring the situation and nec-essary instructions are being given.

Army, paramilitary forces and police are work-ing round the clock.

Efforts are on to ensure supply of essential commodities.

The administration is also keep-ing an eye on price control, she assured to them.

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