Ibobi pins hope on 10 MLAs rolling back stand
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 15 2023:
Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has exuded confidence that the 10 Chin-Kuki MLAs who demanded separate administration will surely withdraw their stance in the larger interest of the State.
Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhavan at BT Road today, Ibobi continued that the 10 Chin-Kuki MLAs belonging to different political parties including the ruling BJP demanding disintegration of Manipur is unfortunate irrespective of the outcome.
He then said that the Government must take the demand very seriously.
Saying that the Congress party will do whatever it can to protect the unity and integrity of Manipur-, the former Chief Minister maintained that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was killed for cracking down on those who instigated separatist movement in Punjab by launching Operation Blue Star, he said.
Ibobi further said that the former Prime Minister also prevented balkanization of Mizoram.
It was the Congress party which denied inclusion of Churachandpur district in Greater Mizoram during the time of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Ibobi added.
Continuing that none can prevent people living in the border areas of Manipur from deciding to settle in Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Myanmar or any other place, the former Chief Minister stated that the Congress party, however, won't allow disintegration of even an inch of land of Manipur.
The Congress party will never allow India and Manipur to break apart under any circumstances, Ibobi said.
The 10 Chin-Kuki MLAs will surely take back its demand and the Congress party believes it as 'we all are bom and brought up in Manipur,' Ibobi maintained and said that they (the 10 MLAs) may have raised the demand out of certain disappointment.
"Even if they are disappointed with the Government the Congress party believes the 10 Chin-Kuki will surely withdraw the demand for the sake of unity and integrity of Manipur," Ibobi added.
The Congress party also doesn't believe that the BJP Government at the Centre would want to disintegrate Manipur, the former Chief Minister maintained.
Appealing to the Indian Government to take up strict measures to check.intrusion of illegal immigrants into Manipur, Ibobi asserted that not even an inch of Manipur should be compromised while working out any solution.
Opining that trafficking of arms and drugs by using Manipur as a transit route can be stopped if the Government gives topmost priority on completion of border fencing works without compromising the State's territory, the former Chief Minister asked the State Government to build fences in the border areas of Manipur by taking a special package from the Centre.
Appealing to both Kukis and Meiteis to lend a hand in restoring peace and normalcy in Manipur, Ibobi said, "Whatever happened has happened and we must not hold grudge for it" .
He went on to appeal to the Central Government to hold a dialogue with the leaders of parties in conflict and the State Government to work out a solution.
Asking how long the displaced families will take shelter at relief camps, Ibobi said that the Government needs to work diligently so as to bring peace and the displaced people can return to their homes.
He also suggested that the State Government must take a special package from the Centre to build houses for those who have been made homeless by the ethnic clash.
Asking the Government to deploy Central and State forces in sensitive areas such as Churachandpur, Moreh and adjoining areas of hill and valley districts, Ibobi said that such security arrangement will be helpful in restoring normalcy.
"What can the people expect from the Government if they couldn't even bring in the stranded goods laden trucks to Imphal," the Congress leader asked.
Further asking whether the responsibility to look into administration of the State has been entrusted to the Security Advisor to the Manipur Government, Ibobi said that the Security Advisor should not have a hand in the State administration.
The duty of the Security Advisor is to give instruction to the Central and State security forces, Ibobi said and asked where the spokesperson of the Government has gone.
He continued that a SIT must be constituted to figure out who or what instigated the ethnic clash in Manipur.
About the bodies deposited at RIMS and JNIMS morgues, Ibobi suggested that the Government must make an arrangement to dispose the corpses given the foul smell they emanate and considering the way their family members will react on seeing them.
The Congress party wants the Government to give a deadline for claiming the bodies as keeping the mortal remains for prolonged period will only prolong the heartache of the bereaved families, he added.
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president K Meghachandra also attended the programme among others.
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