Peace Convention points finger at CM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 07 2023:
To pave the way forward to restore normalcy in violence Manipur, ten political parties convened a Peace Convention at Congress Bhavan today .
The Convention resolved that Chief Minister N Biren Singh should take full responsibility for the violence in Manipur and resign.
At least four resolutions were taken during the convention jointly hosted by the State units of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), All India Forward Bloc (AIFB), Communist Party of India (CPI), CPI (Marxist), Indian National Congress (INC), Janata Dai-United (JD-U), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) .
Speaking at the function, former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said that the Peace Convention isn't organised to take political mileage or engage in blame games but to restore peace in Manipur.
Ibobi said that the civilians asking for arms to defend themselves is a manifestation of bad governance and people losing faith in the Government.
The violence in Manipur would also have a serious ramification on the State's economy, the former Chief Minister added.
Saying that the situation in Manipur is not conducive to engage in petty politics , Ibobi urged the BJP Government at the Centre and Manipur to control the Kuki militants who violate the ground rules of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact to restore peace- in Manipur.
JD (U) State unit president Ksh Biren said that the incumbent Chief Minister is very good in theatrics and in staging a high voltage drama as he has the audacity to seek the assistance of the people to prevent him from resigning after fooling the masses that he would resign" .
Claiming that poppy plantations began in Manipur only during the time of the BJP Government, he said that the violence in Manipur could have been averted had the BJP taken some strong action before the poppy business took shape.
Member of Congress Working Committee (CWC) Gaikhangam claimed that Manipur faced deadly issues whenever BJP was at the helm and the same is happening now.
People are suffering now because they handed over the power to the saffron party, he said and asked whether it is not the responsibility of the Centre to intervene and stop the fighting in Manipur.
Does the Centre see the citizens of Manipur as insects, Gaikhangam asked and added that there won't be peace, in Manipur as long as BJP holds power.
MPCC president K Meghachandra said that the Manipur Government is completely powerless now as they couldn't protect lives and properties and ensure free movement of vehicles along National Highway-2 .
This is civil war, he added, referring to the violence in Manipur. National council member of JD (U) Dr Nimaichand Luwang, on the other hand, said that National People's Party (NPP) and Naga People's Front (NPF) need to support the, endeavour of the ten political parties in the larger interest of Manipur.
The ten parties condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his total silence on Manipur turmoil and expressed sorrow, shock and concern at the loss of lives.
The Peace Convention also expressed gratitude to Rahul.
Gandhi for his two-day visit to Manipur as a peace messen ger and further resolved that the need of the hour is to restore peace and normalcy.