Imphal, July 31,2023: (PTI) The 21-member parliamentary delegation of the Opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) on Sunday termed the Manipur ethnic violence as ‘national security issue’, saying the silence of the Prime Minister shows his brazen indifference towards the violence in Manipur. The parliamentary delegation of INDIA is on a two-day visit to Manipur who arrived in the State on Saturday.
They visited relief camps in Churachandpur, Bishnupur and Imphal West districts and interacted with the affected people on the first day. On Sunday, the delegation met Governor Anusuiya Uikey and also submitted a memorandum. “Governor welcomed the team and appealed to extend their fullest cooperation to restore peace and tranquility through a peaceful dialogue with the representatives of CSOs of both the communities to maintain status quo ante of aged old tradition of peaceful co-existence,” Raj Bhawan said in a tweet.
After meeting the Governor, Congress Lok Sabha group leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, the Governor herself expressed pain and grief. “During this two-day visit, whatever we witnessed, whatever experience we gained, she agreed to what we said. She also suggested that together we should hold talks with the leaders of all communities and find a solution.
“The Governor also suggested that both the Opposition and ruling parties should together send an all-party delegation to Manipur and talk to leaders of all communities which is essential to resolve the sense of distrust among the people,” Chowdhury said.
He also termed the Manipur crisis as a “national security issue.” In the memorandum to Governor, the MPs said: “We are, indeed, very shocked and sad to hear the stories of anxieties, uncertainties, pains and sorrows of the individuals affected by the unprecedented violence unleashed by both sides since the beginning of the clashes. “There is anger and a sense of alienation amongst all communities, which has to be addressed without delay.”
Saying that the Central and State Governments failed to protect the lives and properties of the people of the two communities, the memorandum pointed out that more than 140 deaths and over 500 people have been injured while more than 5000 houses have been burnt and over 60,000 people of both Meitei and Kuki communities have been displaced.
INDIA MPs said that from the reports of incessant firing and arson of houses in the last few days, it is established beyond doubt that the state machineries have completely failed to control the situation for the last almost three months. The memorandum, signed by 21 MPs said that the condition in the relief camps is pathetic to say the least.
