Jail facilities better than relief camps, says Ibobi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 07 2024: Tearing into N Biren Singh's Govern-ment for the miserable conditions in relief camps, Congress Legislature Party leader and former CM, Okram Ibobi has predicted that the BJP would get no votes from the displaced people.

"People are reeling under miserable conditions in the relief camps.

When even jail inmates get beds, many in the relief camps are sleeping on the floor on mattresses made of straws," Ibobi said.

He said this during an interaction programme held at Congress Bhavan, Imphal today.

Veteran Congress leader Gaikhangam, Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency candidate Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam and party workers interacted with people of Heingang Assembly constituency.

Commenting on the pre-sent turmoil in the State and conditions of displaced people staying in relief camps, former CM O Ibobi said a jail has got more facilities than the relief camps.

The displaced people have spent nearly a year in relief camps, but many are still sleeping on the floor on mattresses made of straws while a jail inmate gets at least a bed to sleep on, he said.

Earlier, one or two beds made of bamboo were seen distributed to people at relief camps.

However, it turned out to be only for shows as many are still without beds, he added. He said people are packed in the relief camps as "chickens in coops" .

The Government is forcing people to stay in the relief camps without much amenities and relief.

If the displaced people still vote for the BJP in the elections, then it would mean that they want to reel under the pre-sent conditions in the camps for a longer period, said Ibobi.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has completed 7 years in power and its reign has plunged Manipur in a deep turmoil, said the CLP leader.

The BJP is always blaming the past Congress Government for its failure to get votes in the elections.

This will serve them no good.

People of Manipur shouldn't be taken for granted.

People shouldn't be taken as fools, said Ibobi.

If the BJP wins another term then there will be no more democracy in India, he added.

Blaming COVID-19 pandemic, the BJP-led State Government withheld elections to Gram Panchayats and Municipal Councils.

Even after the end of the pandemic, the elections have not been held till today.

Do tell, in which States, elections to Gram Panchayats and Municipal Councils have been withheld, Ibobi said.

He asserted that currently the Panchayati Raj institutions are being run by administrative committees which are composed of members loyal to the Government.

"Some ex-Members of the Gram Panchayats of Thoubal were approached by top persons in the Government to tell them the Government was sorry.

The Government officials also assured them they would be given charge of the Gram Panchayats after the Lok Sabha elections.

"They were further urged to campaign for BJP in the elections.

This was very unfortunate," Ibobi said.

On employment, Ibobi hinted that recruitment has hit a low during the BJP Government.

He said the Manipur Public Services Commission (MPSC) and the Staff Selection Board have not held any recruitment.

The Government is filling various positions on contract basis.

However, only the candidates belonging to the rich and connected families will get these jobs.

Youths belonging to poor families without money will not get jobs.

Under the BJP, it is becoming harder for the poor to survive, he said.

BJP's dictatorship-like Government should be ended this election, he added.

Interacting with the people of Heingang, Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency candidate Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam urged the public to vote with confidence and without fear.

He urged them to be vigilant and not let money buy votes in the elections.

Seeking wholehearted support of the people of Heingang, Dr Bimol said he would raise every issue facing Manipur in the Parliament if he is elected.

"Let's work towards building a new Manipur.

No force can stop people when they are united.

Let all voters cast votes according to their choice," he said, urging womenfolk to guard polling stations for free and fair elections.

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghachandra said the BJP is selling lies to get more votes in the elections, but people can clearly see through it.

"Just before the last Lok Sabha elections, BJP had promised lakhs of rupees to people urging them to open zero balance bank accounts.

Where has the money gone? .

"The BJP had also promised people to develop Imphal-Jiribam road and make it fit for even aeroplanes.

Where has the promise gone? .

"Further, Chief Minister N Biren Singh's Government had promised 1.5 lakh jobs every year.

How many people have got jobs against the number of jobs promised?" asked Meghachandra.

Besides peddling lies, the BJP has blamed Congress for the current conflict which started on May 3, 2023 .

The BJP-led Government has made Manipur a place filled with the cries and wails of the people.

The Government must be taught a lesson by the people this election, he said.

Seeking support, Meghachandra said Dr Bimol would be best among the candidates to represent people in the Parliament and raise Manipur's issues.

Heingang Block Congress member P Sarat and other party leaders were present.

Manipur will vote in two phases.

Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency and some segments of Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency will vote on April 19 .

Remaining segments of Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency will vote on April 26 .

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