New Delhi
Upping the ante against the BJP-led Central Government, the Opposition on Saturday demanded the “immediate sacking” of Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh, imposition of President’s Rule and an all-party delegation visit to the troubled State.
The Opposition placed its demands in an all-party meeting convened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who asserted the Government was doing its best to bring back normalcy in Manipur.
BJP’s Manipur in-charge Sambit Patra told reporters after the all-party meeting that the Home Minister apprised the Opposition that all efforts are being made to restore peace in Manipur on the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shah also told the meeting that since the violence began in the state, there has “not been a single day” when he did not speak to Prime Minister Modi on the situation or the PM did not give instructions, Patra pointed out.
The Union Home Minister assured that all steps will be taken to ensure no loss of life or property in Manipur, said Patra.
Former Manipur CM Okram Ibolbi Singh, who represented Congress in the all-party meet, complained of not being allowed more time to put across his views towards the end of the meeting. The Congress later demanded the immediate sacking of Chief Minister N Biren Singh saying peace in violence-hit Manipur is not possible under Singh.
Manoj Jha, RJD MP, said, “It was an open discussion. The entire opposition went to the extent of saying that the person heading the administration of Manipur is not trustworthy. We can’t have peace in Manipur till he is in charge.”
Samajwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav sought imposition of President’s rule, alleging the State government has failed to maintain peace and the administration has collapsed.
The Trinamool Congress demanded an all-party delegation be sent to the violence-hit State.
“After the meeting of our leaders in Patna, within 24 hours the Opposition spoke in one united voice for Manipur, the Northeast and India,” TMC’s Derek O’Brien told reporters after the three-hour-long meeting held at the Parliament House complex.
The Opposition parties have been critical of the Centre’s handling of the Manipur situation and have questioned the Prime Minister’s “silence” on the issue. More than 100 persons have lost their lives even as violence continues unabated since May 3.
Those who attended the meeting included BJP president J P Nadda, former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh (Congress), Derek O’Brien (TMC), Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Singh (NPP), Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Sikkim Krantikari Morcha), Birendra Prasad Baishya (Asom Gana Parishad), M Thambi Durai (AIADMK), Tiruchi Siva (DMK), Pinaki Misra (BJD), Sanjay Singh (AAP), Manoj Jha (RJD) and Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena).
Uddhav Thackeray’s Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “We raised issues like the education of students being hampered, and other sensitive issues. Till now, the Centre hasn’t done anything constructive. But we have demanded an all-party delegation visit the state next week.”
Home Minister Amit Shah visited the State last month and interacted with the people of the state to restore peace in the state.
Violence Again: Manipur Minister’s godown torched, attempt to raze residence
A mob set on fire a private godown of Manipur minister L Susindro at Chingarel in Imphal East district. An attempt was also made to torch another property of the Consumer and Food Affairs Minister and his residence at Khurai in the same district on Friday night but timely intervention prevented it. Security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells till midnight to prevent the mob from gheraoing his Khurai residence. No casualty was reported in the incident. Earlier, the official quarters of Manipur’s lone woman minister Nemcha Kipgen at Lamphel area in Imphal West district and the house belonging to Union Minister RK Ranjan Singh was also set ablaze.
