Ten political parties of the state have submitted a memorandum to the Governor on Tuesday with the demand for convening a special session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly in order to discuss the present communal crisis.
In the memorandum, the political parties stated that the state is going through a crisis as a result of violence and mistrust between two important communities - Meiteis and Kukis. There is a demand for a "Separate Administration" from 10 MLAs belonging to Kuki while there is a strong call for preserving the unity and integrity of Manipur from various sections of the society, they stated.
Manipur has never witnessed any ethnic violence of the scale and gravity as seen now, the memorandum states, adding that there is a call from various civil society organizations, political parties and imminent citizens to convene a special session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly to discuss the present crisis, its origin, the course of the violence and roles of different players to stoke the fire of violence for more than a month, measures for confidence building among the communities and bringing peace and normalcy, etc.
Assessing the requirements of relief and rehabilitation of displaced persons, and their safe return to their original homes is also of utmost importance, it added.
"In order to have a fruitful and positive discussion on issues arising from the present crisis, there is an immediate need for convening a special session of Manipur Legislative Assembly. Therefore, you are kindly requested to convene a special session of Manipur Legislative Assembly," the 10 political parties stated in the memorandum submitted to the governor.
The 10 political parties are the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee; Janata Dal (United); Communist Party of India; Communist Party of India (Marxist); All India Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party; All India Forward Bloc; Nationalist Congress Party; Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Revolutionary Socialist Party, Manipur.
The memorandum copy was also submitted to Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker.
After submitting the memorandum, spokesperson of state JD-U, Nimai Chand Luwang told that media at state head office of Manipur PCC, BT Road on Tuesday that in connection with the ongoing communal clash and to talk with the matter, representatives of the 10 political parties have reached Delhi to seek appointment with PM Modi and are hoping for positive response.
He said people have been questioning, through the media, why the 50 MLAs are not raising their demands while 10 Kuki MLAs have already made their demand for ‘separate administration’ inside Manipur.
Stating that there are seven BJP MLAs among the 10 Kuki MLAs, Nimai questioned why the BJP government has failed to take necessary action against them. The 10 political parties alleged that the BJP party is responsible for the present crisis, he added.
To discuss the present crisis, a special session is necessary as it can be solved with a political solution. And considering the present crisis, the chief minister should request the Governor to convene a special session however, as he is not taking any steps, the 10 political parties submitted the memorandum demanding a special session, said Nimai.
He said the central government has issued an order to constitute a Peace Committee in Manipur with the Governor as chairperson to help establish peace, social and communal harmony among various ethnic groups and promote a sense of security in the general public.
However, the central government has appointed 51 members without the consent of respective members, he added.
He said that for the JD-U, the party was planning to nominate Samuel Jendai as their party’s representative but MLA Abdul Nasir was named in the committee, adding that the party objects to the inclusion of Abdul Nasir as a member of the Peace Committee, representing the JD-U.
On this matter, state president JD-U also submitted a letter to the Governor requesting not to invite Abdul Nasir to any meeting of the Peace Committee. The letter requested the Union Home Ministry to include Samuel Jendai, member of the council and spokesperson, JD-U as a member of the peace committee in place of Abdul Nasir.
CLP leader O Ibobi said it is a good step for the government that 4,000 houses will be constructed with prefabricated materials so that displaced people can stay temporarily. However, without peace, will the displaced people be able to stay in those houses, he questioned.
He said that before constructing those houses the government needs to bring a safe atmosphere for the displaced people else it is useless even if the government constructs thousands of pucca houses.
Stating that India is now a top super power country, Ibobi said that if the government wants to solve the issue, then it could be solved within 24 hours.
