In the wake of escalating violence persisting for the past eight months in Manipur, 10 like-minded political parties on Tuesday urged the government for taking up measures to control law-and-order situation in this present juncture in the state.
The 10 parties, comprising CPI (M), JD-U, AIFB, SS(UBT), AAP, RSP, TMC, MPCC, NCP, and CPI, convened a meeting at the Congress Bhawan on Tuesday expressing concern over the deteriorating law-and-order situation and criticised the state government’s failure to bring normalcy to Manipur.
Addressing the media on behalf of the collective, Kh Loken, the general secretary of JD-U Manipur, questioned the government’s responsibility for protecting lives and properties and taking initiatives to restore peace.
He queried whether the government deemed it the public’s duty to face the ongoing unrest, highlighting the silence of Prime Minister Modi and the perceived negligence of both the central and state governments.
He further emphasised that distributing relief materials, symbolic gestures like naming a battleship as Imphal, and implementing what he called a hollow ILP, would not appease the public.
Former state secretary of CPI, L Sotinkumar accused the government of negligence, suggesting that the central government’s inaction after attacks on security forces in Moreh by foreign militias could signal intentions to disintegrate Manipur like what happened in Kashmir.
Sotinkumar asserted that the abolition of the ruling BJP government is crucial to safeguarding lives, properties, and restoring normalcy in Manipur.
The leaders also extended condolences for the lives lost and injuries incurred during Monday night’s incident in Lilong Changjao, Thoubal district.
MPCC president K Meghachandra urged the people to prevent the unfortunate incident from becoming communal and called on the government to ensure a thorough investigation in accordance with the law.
The meeting of the 10 parties also resolved to support the Bharat Nyay Yatra from Manipur to Mumbai, scheduled to be flagged off on January 14 by AICC leader Rahul Gandhi from Imphal.
