Manipur Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam on Wednesday stated that the Government of India has a historical, political, moral and legal responsibility to defend Manipur as an entity that existed before the commencement of Indian Constitution as stated in its Schedule 1.
He made the statement during the Question Hour of the Parliament Session, drawing attention of the House on the communal divisive forces which have created havoc in the state for the last 14 months.
He highlighted that as per the Instrument of the Accession signed by the then Maharaja of the state on August 11, 1947, the defense of the state was handed over to the Government of India.
Therefore, the Government of India must take stern action against these divisive forces headed by foreign elements and necessary steps must be taken up to delineate citizens from the non-citizens, he said, adding, “we have foreign elements and illegal immigrants which are creating havoc with these divisive elements within the state.”
He cited the recent peace efforts and the agreement achieved between two communities in the district of Jiribam on August 1. Unfortunately the agreement was subverted by communal, divisive and sectarian forces, he added.
He also appealed to ensure that Article 19 works in the state of Manipur and people have the capacity to move freely on the highways as well territories within the state of India. He also appealed to protect the properties of the Internally Displaced Persons in the state.
Here is the full speech produced verbatim:
Mr Chairman, I want to draw the attention of the House and the Government of India that the crisis that Manipur has been experiencing for the last 14 months.
Peace efforts have been made and there was an agreement achieved between two communities in the district of Jiribam on 1st August, mediated by the security forces, but unfortunately, which is subverted by communal, divisive and sectarian forces.
And that they started attacking villages and so on. I think the Government of India must take stern action against these communal, divisive forces which have created havoc in the state for the last 14 months.
I would like to remind the Government of India and this House that the Government of India has a historical, political, moral and legal responsibility to defend Manipur as an entity that existed before the commencement of this Constitution as stated in the Schedule 1 of the Constitution.
And in fact, in the Instrument of the Accession signed by the then Maharaja of the state on 11 August, 1947, the defense of the state was handed over to the Government of India.
And therefore, the Government of India must take stern action against these divisive forces headed by foreign elements, and we need to take necessary steps to delineate citizens from the non-citizens, because we have foreign elements and illegal immigrants which are creating havoc with these divisive elements within the state.
And I appeal to this House as well as the Government of India to make it sure that
Article 19 works in the state of Manipur and people have this capacity to move freely on the highways as well territories within the state of India. It should not be restricted because one belongs to one community or the other.
In the end, I would like to conclude with this remark that the properties of the Internally Displaced People must be protected. There have been images of houses being blown up and villages being wiped out in order to subvert the peace process. So that once they destroy the villages, you can’t go back. This has been happening, I think the Government of India must take immediate actions to ensure that the properties of the displaced people are protected in the state of Manipur.
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