The nine MLAs of the ruling party who are camping in Delhi along with independent MLA Nishikant Sapam on Thursday clarified that the ‘Special Measure’ in the memorandum submitted to PM Modi has been misinterpreted as a demand for ‘President’s Rule’ in the state which they are against.
In a video clip sent to the media, Heirok AC MLA Th Radheshyam clarified that the ruling MLAs decided to go to Delhi as per a decision taken at the chamber of Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly to apprise the Prime Minister on the present situation of Manipur and not to demand for imposition of ‘President’s Rule’ in Manipur.
Application for an appointment with PM Modi for all the MLAs of Manipur was sent to the PMO via an email on June 15, Radheshyam said, adding that the special measures mentioned in the memorandum submitted by the MLAs has been misinterpreted as ‘President’s Rule’. He said all the MLAs are against imposition of PR in Manipur as it would affect the cabinet ministers and MLAs of Manipur Legislative Assembly.
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If the Central government imposes PR in Manipur, then all the power and facilities under the constitution will be relieved, including the ability to suggest and instruct the state forces and Central armed forces while controlling the present crisis in Manipur, he added.
Special Measures categorically highlights the ‘Essential Items’, ‘Medicines’ and ‘Education’, the BJP MLA said, adding that it is about the need for a coordination between the Centre and State to bring essential items and medicines into the state which is deprived from the general public due to blockade on NH-2.
Special measures are about the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces where they would be much more effective. Asking for ‘Special Measures’ is not asking for the President's Rule, he clarified.
Chief Minister Biren Singh had already admitted that the present crisis was due to failure of law and order in Manipur and it is unfortunate that some of the MLAs are singled out at this juncture, he added.
The former education minister also said that if setting ablaze of his home is going to bring peace and tranquillity in the state, he is willing to burn down his own home.
“We strongly oppose the blame put on us that we are plotting to impose President’s Rule in the state of Manipur. I earnestly appeal to the general public to kindly go through the explanation of ‘Special Measures’ and please be satisfied with our clarification on the matter”, said MLA Radheshyam in the video clip.
MLA of Langthabal AC, Karam Shyam said a meeting was called at the chamber of Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly on June 7 to discuss the proposal made by CM Biren Singh on June 6 for the imposition of PR in the state.
During that meeting, some of the cabinet ministers and MLAs strongly opposed the proposal of CM with some of them threatening to resign from their MLAship.
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The meeting chaired by CM unanimously resolved to oppose imposition of PR in Manipur, he added.
Karam Shyam maintained that till June 9, all the ministers and MLAs stuck to the unanimous decision to go to Delhi and apprise the central leaders on the present crisis. However, some of the MLAs were hesitant to go to Delhi as they received threats for the decision, he added.
“On June 15, we sought an appointment with the Prime Minister of India through email. However, we came to know that the Prime Minister is leaving for America on June 20 evening. So, we decided to submit the memorandum to the PMO,” the MLA said, adding that the “sole purpose of our visit to Delhi and submission of the memorandum to the Prime Minister is to bring peace in our state. It is very unfortunate to learn that some student organisations interpreted it as if we are plotting to impose President’s Rule in the state”.
He further said during the meeting with national general secretary of BJP, BL Santosh, he apprised that unless and until the killing of innocent Meitei are stopped by the Chin Defence Force and Kuki Militants under the SoO, peace in Manipur cannot be restored.
Keishamthong AC MLA Nishikant Singh Sapam said “for the first time, I have been elected as an independent MLA. Compared to other MLAs, I am in no position to influence other MLAs.
I have been supporting the BJP-led government since the beginning and I have full confidence in the leader of the house that the centre had appointed”.
He appealed to everyone to come together and move in one force for the sake of Manipur. We have our whole life to do politics but now is not the right time, he said.
