Guwahati: The delegation of 21 MPs of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) on Sunday concluded their two-days long visit to trouble-torn Manipur by submitting a memorandum to Governor Anusuiya Uikey asking her to make all necessary efforts to restore peace and harmony in the state.
The joint memorandum of MPs read, “We earnestly request you to restore peace and harmony taking all effective measures, where justice should be the cornerstone. In order to bring peace and harmony, rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected persons is most urgent. You are also requested to apprise the Union Government of the complete breakdown of law and order in Manipur for the last 89 days so as to enable them to intervene in the precarious situation in Manipur to restore peace and normalcy.”
Informing that all 21-MPs jointly handed over a memorandum to the Governor, the Congress Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told reporters, “The Governor listened to our appeal and suggested that both the Opposition and Ruling Party 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."
He said, “After we spoke with her, she herself expressed her 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 hold talks with the leaders of all communities and find a solution.”
Slamming the government on poor arrangements in relief camps, Congress MP Phulodevi Netam told reporters, "...400-500 people are staying in one hall. The state government is providing them only daal-chawal, children are not getting anything else to eat the entire day. There is no toilet or bathroom facility. The manner in which people are living in camps is very heart-rending..."
TMC MP Sushmita Dev said, “The situation is not good here (Manipur), we have presented a joint memorandum to the Governor. We have also asked her to inform about the situation in the state to PM Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah.”
Members of the delegation said, "The key point of their findings is that Manipur has been overlooked. As it was overlooked by the state government and central government, the situation is worsening. Peace should be restored at the earliest, it is essential to maintain harmony and justice.”
The MPs from 15 opposition parties had yesterday visited relief camps in Churachandpur and Imphal and interacted with the people including children taking shelter in the camps.
Meanwhile, days after the arson and alleged vandalism in Moreh town on India-Myanmar international border, around 300-400 Kuki- Zo women protesters took to the streets to block highways for state police personnel. The women protesters, who spent last night sitting along the Imphal-Moreh Road (NH-102) are blocking the state government's effort to send around 70-80 additional police personnel to Moreh town.
Moreh town is dominated by Kuki- Zo people and the minority Meitei community members were chased out of the hill areas soon after the eruption of ethnic clashes on May 3.
It is significant that the women protesters blocking the highway suspect that this could be an attempt to bring in radical Meitei outfits disguised as state forces into Moreh, a claim that Manipur police deny.
