Don't exert unreasonable pressure: Susindro
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 01 2023: Alleging that some people standing behind the Youths of Manipur (YoM) have been scheming to bring President's Rule in the State, PHED and CAF&PD Minister Leishangthem Susindro alias Yaima has asked all concerned not to exert unreasonable pressure.

He has also appealed to all concerned to think of reactions before making any statement.

After attending another round of meeting between MLAs and representatives of YoM at Delhi last evening, L Susindro arrived here this morning.

Speaking to media persons at Imphal airport, Susindro said that he would not extend any support to YoM if they continue with their demand for replacement of the Chief Minister.

"I would also abstain from any meeting with YoM representatives in future if they do not drop their demand", he said.

YoM representatives were asking Ministers/MLAs to call Chief Minister N Biren to New Delhi but the MLAs and Ministers made it clear that they could not take the particular responsibility, Susindro said.

However, YoM expressed reluctance to hold the meeting in the absence of Chief Minister N Biren.

Notably, five Congress MLAs including former Chief Minister and CLP leader Okram Ibobi were also present at yesterday's meeting.

The YoM representatives asked the MLAs to leave their parties and form a regional political party.

If a regional party is set up after quitting the National parties, President's Rule is a bygone conclusion and this must be known to the YoM, Susindro said.

Setting up a regional political party would require resignation of the MLAs from their parties, and when they resign from their parties they would cease to hold the office of MLA, he said.

"When I explained this to the YoM representatives, it seemed they could not understand it fully", Susindro said.

They also raised another demand for replacement of Chief Minister N Biren.

"To this, we made it clear that N Biren is currently our leader and we cannot accept the demand," he conveyed.

The main demand of YoM is restoration of peace but it would take time to restore peace considering the existing situation of the State, he said.

Peace efforts would require middlemen as well as dialogue between the two groups, he continued.

Acting as middleman, the Government of India has been working to bring a solution to the protracted crisis through a peace committee.

The Government of India is considering how many MLAs from the Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas would be inducted as members of the peace committee, Susindro said.

But the YoM representatives were demanding a specific period to end the crisis.

Some of the YoM representatives understood the complexities of the issue and what was discussed at the meeting but some others did not understand the matter, he said.

"If YoM asks for any further meeting on the demand of replacing the Chief Minister which appeared to be politically motivated, I would stay away from all such meetings," Susindro asserted.

He also decried the coarse and unparliamentary words used by some YoM members in a Facebook live post.

The demand for replacement of Chief Minister N Biren is nothing but an invitation for President's Rule.

The YoM representatives also demanded resignation of all the MLAs but no MLA can step down without consent of the people of their respective Assembly constituencies, he maintained.

Susindro asserted that he is fully committed to protect the integrity of Manipur and the sanctity of its territorial boundary under any circumstances.

The Kuki's demand for separate administration will never fructify, he added.

"When I reacted to the demand for replacement of Chief Minister N Biren, some YoM members tried to attack me.

This can be seen in the CCTV footage of Manipur Bhavan, Delhi", Susindro recounted.

Reacting to the allegation of YoM that Manipur MLAs/Ministers were doing nothing at Delhi but sleeping inside their rooms, the PHED Minister said that they (YoM) representatives should refrain from making such wild allegations.

The MLAs and Ministers have met several Union Ministers including Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The MLAs and Ministers also met many other Union Ministers on personal level and exerted strong pressure on the Centre to resolve the Manipur crisis, Susindro added.

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