Guwahati: Amid the fresh spate of killings and violence in Manipur, former three-time CM and veteran Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh Sunday said the constitutional machinery has completely collapsed in the state. Congress, along with a number of MLAs from both the ruling and opposition parties, has threatened to resign forthwith if PM Modi fails to take immediate measures to end the ongoing conflict.
Inner Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam (Congress) said the fresh imposition of AFSPA demonstrated an absence of political resolve to address the crisis.
Addressing a press conference in Imphal, Ibobi asserted that with the deterioration in law and order under the double-engine governance of BJP and the breakdown of constitutional mechanisms, the upheaval in the state reached unprecedented levels following the killing of infants and women regardless of caste, creed and religion. "We appeal to the present state govt, particularly CM Biren Singh, to immediately seek an appointment with the PM along with opposition members. As soon as the PM returns from his foreign trip, we would like to meet him," the 76-year-old leader said.
Lamenting that the Manipur CM has failed to arrange a meeting between the state's legislators and the PM since the violence erupted last year, Ibobi said, "To date, I don't know whether he (Biren) can seek an appointment or not. It's up to him. If he does, we will meet the PM and give him an ultimatum to resolve the Manipur problem without further delay. Otherwise, we, along with the ruling and opposition MLAs, will take a final view of the matter anytime. If they do not listen to us, to our pleas to save Manipur, what is the point of being a member of the assembly? We will resign along with the ruling MLAs anytime, any moment if they do not listen to us," Ibobi said, adding that PM Modi remains unresponsive to their appeals.
Holding both the Centre and the state govt responsible for the abysmal law and order situation in Manipur, the former CM said whether Biren must resign or be replaced is BJP's internal matter, but President's Rule is not the solution. "People of Manipur disapprove of President's Rule," he added.
Terming AFSPA as a stain on Indian democracy, the Inner Manipur MP, who was also present at the press conference, referred to the Oting massacre in which 13 civilians were allegedly killed by security forces in an alleged botched operation to ambush militants in Nagaland's Mon district in Dec 2021 in a case of "mistaken identity". Akoijam deemed the reimposing of AFSPA across various Manipur regions an imprudent decision. It reflects a lack of political determination regarding the Manipur crisis. The killing of six escalated to another level — hostage-taking and infant killing, which is being condemned internationally, he said.