Cong bares fangs at absence of MLAs in meeting
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 01 2019: The Congress party has taken a jibe at the absence of MLAs and Ministers during the meeting of the legislators of the BJP led coalition State Government, in light of the looming uncertainty concerning the Naga peace accord.

Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhawan today, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) vice president and former MLA Tongbram Mangibabu said that the State has been always tense due to the Naga peace talk between the Government of India and the Naga insurgents and the situation is not helped by the secretive nature of the recent talks and its supposed conclusion.

The people, CSOs and all the political parties must have some sort of suspicion that the peace talks might affect the integrity of the State in some way or the other.

The Congress party feels the same way as well, he said, adding that it is laudable the BJP led State Government convened an emergency meting of its legislators in light of the developing situation.

However, is disappointing to learn that some MLAs failed to attend the meeting, he lamented.

Some news report mention that out of the 40 MLAs, 15 MLAs failed to attend the meeting while others reported that 17 MLAs failed to turn up.

Keeping aside the inconsistency of the mentioned number, it is jarring to witness such irresponsibilities on the part of the legislators at such a critical juncture, Mangibabu remarked.

Asking why the said MLAs were absent from the meeting, the MPCC vice president opined that the current situation of the State calls for all the political parties to shed their differences and unite with the people and the CSOs to protect Manipur.

He then urged the ruling MLAs on behalf of the MPCC to be more responsible.

On the other hand, Mangibabu informed that AICC leader Sonia Gandhi has sent a team to Imphal to discuss CAB and NRC issues with the MPCC leaders.

Further more, an observer of AICC also arrived at Imphal and heard the MPCC's stand regarding a countrywide agitation against the BJP Government from November 5 to 15, he said, adding that after minute discussion with CLP leader and the MPCC president, it was decided that MPCC will drop out of the agitation in light of the present situation of Manipur.

Instead, the MPCC has informed AICC that it has resolved to take appropriate steps concerning the State, the MPCC vice president said.

MPCC spokesperson and former MLA Ningthoujam Mangi demanded an emergency State Assembly Session in light of the Naga issue and for a collective stand to be taken against any impact to the integrity of the State and to make the Central Government aware of the same.

Even though the Centre claims that Manipur will not be affected, a large number of paramilitary troops have been sent into the State.

Apart from this, the State Government also issued notices instructing the hospitals, Power Department and PHE Department and others concerned to remain alert and vigilant.

All these preparations point towards the State Government possibly having some knowledge that the agreement/resolution to the Naga peace talks contain some points which might impact the State, he alleged.

He then narrated about the stand taken by then Chief Minister Okram Ibobi in 2009, when he prevented NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah from entering the State, even though then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, of the same party (Congress) had approved it.

He then appealed to CM Biren to take a similar stand as well.

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