UNC barred Cabinet meet at Kamjong: Ranjit
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 21 2020: Contrary to their proud and repeated claims that the hill-valley relationship which was strained during the time of Ibobi Government has been restored and strengthened by the BJP-led coalition Government, Chief Minister N Biren and his Cabinet Ministers were barred from entering Kamjong district headquarters by the United Naga Council (UNC), asserted Congress MLA K Ranjit.

K Ranjit was speaking at a public meeting held yesterday at Kakching Khunou Ward No 5 in connection with the Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat election which is likely in January.

Asking why the UNC prohibited the Biren Cabinet from coming to Kamjong, Ranjit said that he felt ashamed on hearing N Biren's clarification that there was no prohibition but the Cabinet meeting was put off due to certain unavoidable circumstances.

Manipur is a very small State.

If someone is deter-mined to find out about any second person, the same can be ascertained within three days, he said.

The State Government even hired a helicopter for the Chief Minister to travel to Kamjong and officials concerned were sent to Kamjong district headquarters in advance to make necessary arrangements for inauguration and laying of foundation stones of different works/projects by the Chief Minister, Ranjit said.

Soon after the incumbent Government was formed, Chief Minister N Biren was accorded a warm reception at Ukhrul.

There a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister and it asked the State Government to revoke the order issued by the previous Congress Government regarding creation of seven new districts.

The memorandum even asked the Chief Minister to welcome the political dialogue going on between Government of India and NSCN (IM) but N Biren came back without saying anything, Ranjit said.

He asserted that the UNC prevented the Chief Minister from holding any Cabinet meeting at Kamjong district headquarters as they knew that holding Cabinet meeting there would consolidate the previous Government's order of creating seven new districts.

Whereas the Naga People's Front (NPF) lamented how the UNC barred the Chief Minister from coming to Kamjong district headquarters, N Biren was claiming that the Kamjong Cabinet meeting was put off due to certain unavoidable circumstances.

This is rather shameful, said Ranjit.

It would have been much better had the Chief Minister sincerely admitted that the hill-valley divide was still there contrary to his belief that hill people and valley people had reconciled and were united, asserted the Congress MLA.

Ranjit went on to claim that he has been working as a responsible Member of the Opposition and added that he would never shy away from pointing out the lapses and drawbacks of the Government.

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