Former Manipur chief minister and CLP leader O Ibobi on Thursday questioned the silence of the Central and the state governments and their failure in restoring peace and normalcy in the state.
“How long is the double-engine government going to keep the lives of many civilians in unrest and uncertainty? What is the hidden agenda behind the silence of the Central and state government and its failure to restore normalcy,” questioned O Ibobi.
Speaking to the media at Congress Bhawan in Imphal, Ibobi said that the security and intelligence lapse of the state government as admitted by the chief minister had resulted in loss of numerous innocent lives, displacement of thousands while destroying many properties.
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It is unfortunate that the unrest has entered 21 days with continuous reports of arson of houses and attacks on civilians by miscreants who are suspected to be militants under SoO, the former CM said.
“What is the hidden agenda behind the failure to protect the villagers living in the peripheral areas of the valley from the militants under SoO, despite having enough manpower and security?” he further questioned.
The CLP leader also expressed concerns about the system of the government. He alleged, “There seems to be an absence of elected representatives in the state where the machineries of the state seem to be all running under the security advisor only”.
It is believed that the Centre can restore normalcy in the state at ease by consolidating both parties with their intervention, however, the lack of seriousness in initiating measures to restore normalcy can be seen, said Ibobi.
“Violence and guns do not bring any solution, a table talk is needed to restore normalcy,” he added.
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The CLP also informed that the five Congress MLAs will be leaving for the national capital on Friday to meet the President of India to appraise the present situation of Manipur and to seek her intervention in restoring peace and normalcy at the earliest.
Maintaining that the five MLAs will be accompanied by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC leader Rahul Gandhi during the meeting with the president, he said if given opportunity, they will also meet the prime minister and union home minister and appraise the situation in Manipur.
Ibobi, who was accompanied by the four other Congress MLAs namely, K Meghachandra (MPCC), Th Lokeshwar, K Ranjit and O Surjakumar among others also reaffirmed the stance of the Congress party and went on to say that the Congress party always stands for the unity and integrity of Manipur and will not compromise when Manipur's integrity is threatened.
They also appealed to those MLAs who are demanding a separate administration to reconsider their demand.
