The Communist Party of India (CPI) Manipur State Council on Saturday lashed out at the prime minister for selective criticism and remaining silent on the violence which had scorched Manipur for nearly three months.
“The entire Manipuri society condemns the inhumane act which went viral but the prime minister’s attitude and cherry-picked press statement shows his complete disregard for the entire issue in Manipur,” stated the party.
Speaking to the media at Irawat Bhawan, Imphal, CPI State Council executive member RK Amusana questioned if the prime minister’s intelligence cell had failed to apprise of the other numerous inhumane acts which had been meted out against Meiteis in the hills.
“Enraged over the video, people from all corners of Manipur have demanded the most stringent punishment for the culprits involved but was he blind when barbaric acts were committed against the Meiteis or was too distasteful for his political narrative,” he asked.
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He added if there were vested interests involved in delaying the Manipur crisis discussion on the parliament’s floor.
He expressed disappointment over the centre’s selective treatment of Manipur and stated that the people would safeguard the state’s territorial integrity regardless of the centre’s so-called assurances.
“The Centre was eager to celebrate the ‘Indianness’ of Manipur when the state brought laurels to the country but when the state is burning, we are sidelined as if we are not part of the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, president of All Manipur Nupi Marup M Shakhi condemned the failure of the state government to convene an assembly sitting.
“Why are the remaining 50 MLAs refraining to sit down and discuss on the assembly floor or are they hoping that the crisis would disappear if they observe ‘Maun Vrat’ like their astute leader,” she asked.
She demanded the MLAs to throw in the towels and leave their respective posts if they were unable to protect the state and its people.
She added that the people would carry out the necessary measures to protect Manipur if the authorities were too afraid to take up substantial measures to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
