A convention of the 10 like-minded political parties on the Manipur crisis on Thursday unanimously resolved to work together in Manipur to find a solution.
The 10 political parties include representatives from Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), Janata Dal (United), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist), All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), All India Forward Bloc (AIFB), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Manipur.
In the convention held at Sangai Hall, Hotel Imphal, the parties observed that the silence of the Prime Minister of India to the crisis in Manipur and staying away from Manipur since the outbreak of the ethnic violence has disappointed people of Manipur.
The convention declared that all crimes committed during the ethnic violence committed against women, children, aged, students and youths should be investigated promptly without any discrimination.
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“We will protest in different parts of the state on issues of public concern and importance. We demand the government to talk to the stakeholders for an amicable settlement and solution for lasting peace and harmony in Manipur. We are willing to engage and support any initiative in the peace process. Our unity is our strength. We will work together hand in hand for a change in Manipur,” it stated.
After the convention, CLP leader Okram Ibobi told the media that democracy needs to be strengthened or else the people might face a dictatorial form of government. During the parliament session, Opposition MPs had raised questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to give their statements on the issue of Manipur, he said.
Amit Shah informed the parliamentary floor that Chief Minister N Biren Singh has been cooperating with the Central government while handling the issue of Manipur. Therefore, there is no reason to remove N Biren Singh from his post, he recalled.
“In the name of ‘cooperation with the central government’ should N Biren Singh continue to stay mum after so many people killed each other?” Ibobi questioned.
Democracy in Manipur needs to be strengthened by increasing political activities in order to protect Manipur, he added.
The 10 like-minded political parties already took resolutions and submitted a memorandum to the governor of Manipur and other central leaders, demanding that they will not compromise on the territorial boundary and integrity of Manipur at any cost, he said. The convention reaffirmed the stance to protect Manipur, he added.
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Manipur has been burning for the last five months and the present government is unable to control the violence. Even on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, fresh violence and gunfight occurred at New Keithelmanbi along NH-37. Adding that over 70,000 Central forces have already been deployed in addition to around 30,000 state forces on duty to control the present violence in Manipur, he said. However, Manipur is still burning, said Ibobi.
JD(U) state unit spokesperson Nimaichand Luwang who is one of the representatives of the 10 like-minded political parties said the convention was attended by around 100 delegates from different political parties.
Since the violence erupted, over 200 people have died and thousands rendered homeless, he added. He said the convention condemned the killing of the two students and extended condolences.
The convention also strongly condemned the brutal action of security forces towards agitating students who were demanding justice for the two students, namely Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit.
“The Central government can finish the present crisis within a few days. What is the hidden agenda as the crisis is still continuing and both governments are unable to stop the violence,” he questioned.
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Giving an example, he said that the accused persons in connection with the naked parading of two women and killing of two students were arrested within a matter of a few days.
Moreover, the plan to carry out a mass burial at Torbung Bangla, Bishnupur district was stopped by a phone call from the union home minister Amit Shah, he said.
“Are both the governments waiting for the upcoming Lok Sabha election to be conducted next year in order to get political mileage? he questioned.”
