Manipur Democratic Alliance (MDA) convenor M Tombi informed on Saturday that the state and centre has fulfilled the 4-point demands submitted in a memorandum to Manipur Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and a copy sent to CM Biren on October 4.
Tombi, who is also the president of Shiv Sena’s Manipur State Unit, spoke to the media at the party’s office in Babupara on Saturday.
The memorandum demanded the free movement of Meiteis along the two national highways of Manipur, with adequate security forces deployed. Tombi stated that after the government deployed security forces, Meitei commuters have been able to resume travel along the national highways.
Another demand was for the commencement of the 398 km-long Indo-Myanmar border fencing, which the central government has initiated. Construction of the fencing has begun, and funds have been sanctioned, he added.
Regarding the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which was also mentioned in the memorandum, the government has officially started the process. Tombi suggested that the government should use retina scans in addition to Aadhaar verification when conducting the NRC.
The memorandum further called for the relocation of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Tombi said the state government has addressed this by relocating IDPs to the housing complex at the National Games Village in Langol.
Tombi noted that out of the four points in the memorandum, at least three have been fulfilled, and MDA welcomes the initiatives taken by both the state and central governments.
During a recent visit to Delhi, Tombi also proposed to the Union Aviation Minister a reduction in airfares for Manipur, requesting that prices be reduced to one-third of the current rates.
He further appealed to the authorities to address the rise in prices of essential items, as the people of Manipur continue to suffer from the ongoing violence.
