Cong slams CM's statement on Bills
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 08 2017: Reacting to Chief Minister N Biren's reported statement that the three Bills passed by the previous Congress Government for protection of indigenous people were anti-tribal, Congress party has asked the Chief Minister whether he meant the passage of the three Bills was a wrongful step.

Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhavan here today, MPCC spokesman MLA K Meghachandra asserted that the three Bills were passed following sustained mass movements in the backdrop of incessant influx of non-local people.

He pointed out that Chief Minister N Biren was a member of the committee which drafted the three Bills.

Meghachandra questioned the meaning of the apology tendered by N Biren to the people of Churachandpur for the 'wrongs' done by the Congress Government.

The three Bills were aimed at protecting all the indigenous people from the onslaught of incessant influx not only in the valley but also in hill areas.

If N Biren was saying that the passage of the three Bills was a wrongful step, it evoked a serious question whether the incumbent Government and the present Chief Minister oppose ILPS, Meghachandra said.

It is a matter of serious concern that Chief Minister N Biren while addressing a public function at Churachandpur district headquarters a few days back was saying that the three Bills were anti-tribals.

The three Bills were passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly unanimously but the Chief Minister's statement attempted to paint a very different picture, decried the MPCC spokesman.

If the Chief Minister cannot come out with a convincing clarification regarding his statement that the three Bills were anti-tribals, the coalition Government led by BJP would be assumed as power hungry and anti-indigenous people, Meghachandra asserted.

On the other hand, Congress party is always committed to enforce ILPS in Manipur and the party had already demonstrated its commitment by action.

MPCC vice-president and fellow spokesman Kh Joykisan has already urged the coalition Government to table a Bill for protection of indigenous people in the forthcoming State Assembly election but there has been no response from the Government till date.

Congress party would not remain silent on such crucial issue like protection of indigenous people, Meghachandra added.

Comment