[Marxistindia] CPI(M)-CPI joint delegation visted Manipur

[news from the cpi(m)]

July 10, 2023

 

Press Release

 

CPI(M)-CPI joint delegation, after visiting strife-torn Manipur, is of the
view that continuance of Biren Singh Government is a major impediment in
restoring peace and normalcy in the state. All communities and sections
along with the civil society need to be brought in to begin a meaningful
exercise to bring back the state from the edge. 

 

The delegation comprised of Bikashranjan Bhattacharya, John Brittas
[CPI(M)], Binoy Viswam,  K. Subbarayan and P. Sandosh Kumar [CPI] visited
refugee camps and different locations in the valley and hill for three days
from July 6, 2023. The delegation, which interacted with refugees in the
plain and hills alike, could not miss the fact that there was a striking
similarity in their long ordeal.  More than 60,000 people have been
uprooted, their lives and livelihoods devastated. They are haunted by the
trauma of their houses being set ablaze and family members shot dead. 

 

The delegation had frank discussions with cross section of the civil
society. The dominant view was that the state administration collapsed
completely with the Chief Minister loosing legitimacy and credibility.
Therefore, the continuation of the Chief Minister Biren Singh in office is
untenable. People are pained and hurt at the deafening silence of the Prime
Minister about the situation in Manipur. Delegation called on the Governor
Anusuiya Uikey and conveyed its view. The head of the state was urged to
take all possible steps to restore the faith of all sections. She said she
was distraught at the events and confided that she never met with such a
situation  in her life. She said she was diligently submitting detailed
reports to the President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister and the Home
Minister. 

 

The delegation noted that, though 60,000 armed personnel from different
forces are deployed, they are not effective in the absence of functional
civil administration. Thousands of Government employees belonging to Kukis
and Meiteis have fled the valley and the hills respectively, crippling the
administration.

 

The delegation noted that there were systematic and orchestrated attempts to
bring in  a communal turn to the ethnic violence. The role of the political
leadership in this also is generally felt.  Churches and temples were
targeted, vandalised and burnt along with community-run schools even in the
heart of Imphal City. Delegation visited few places to have first-hand
account of such organised devastation. 

 

The delegation is of the view that all charges and accusations, claims and
counterclaims be kept in abeyance and the sole aim should be to restore
peace and normalcy. Centre and the State administration should make all
efforts to rally all sections, declare urgent measures for the
rehabilitation and mitigate the sufferings of the people. 

 

 

 

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