Focus shifts to Delhi as MLAs line up to meet PM

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 16 : An eight member team of MLAs from Manipur is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming days, said reliable sources.
Several MLAs are in Delhi at present since the past few days and they have sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to discuss the prevailing situation in Manipur and seek his intervention to restore peace and end the violent conflict that erupted on May 3 last.
Notably, a meeting of MLAs of the valley districts was held a few days earlier and it had decided to meet the Prime Minister and apprise him of the current situation. The meeting, hosted by Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Satyabrata was attended by 24 MLAs from the valley.
The MLAs who are in Delhi include Lamshang AC MLA S Rajen, Thanga AC MLA T Robindro, Wangjing-Tentha AC MLA P Brojen, Heirok AC MLA Th Radheshyam, Hiyanglam AC MLA Dr Y Radheshyam, Keishamthong AC MLA Nishikant Singh Sapam, Langthabal AC MLA Karam Shyam and Uripok AC MLA Kh Raghumani.
They may be granted the appointment within the next 2-3 days, said sources.
Meanwhile, more MLAs may reach Delhi to meet the Prime Minister, added the sources.
On the other hand as many as 30 leaders of ten political parties are also in Delhi to meet the Prime Minister, said Janata Dal (United), Manipur.
Those who have reached Delhi include leaders of Indian National Congress, Janata Dal (United), Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), All India Trinamool Congress, All India Forward Bloc, Shiv Sena (UBT), Revolutionary Socialist Party of India, Aam Aadmni Party and Nationalist Congress Party.
Many more are expected to come to Delhi taking the total number of leaders to about 50, said JD (U) in a statement released today.
They are in Delhi to meet the Prime Minister and request him to intervene to stop the ethnic clash and arson taking place in Manipur since May 3. They believe that the recent visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Manipur for three days and announcement of certain measures like constitution of Peace Committee, Enquiry Commission and CBI probe into some cases have failed to bring any semblance of peace in the State, said Janata Dal (United).
So far there has been no response and confirmation of appointment sought from the Prime Minister's Office. The leaders of the ten political parties are patiently waiting for the appointment with the Prime Minister as the present crisis in Manipur has proved to be beyond the capacity of Manipur Government, said JD(U).
Even as violence continues resulting in the death of more than 110 persons belonging to the two communities [Meiteis and Kukis], the inaction and lack of seriousness on the part of the Central Government is highly regrettable. It is indeed inconceivable that the Prime Minister has remained completely silent on the crisis in Manipur, which may have National security implications, added the JD(U). Meanwhile, JD(U) Manipur president Ksh Biren Singh, MPCC president K Meghachandra Singh, CPI(M) secretary Ksh Shantakumar, JD(U) chief spokesperson Dr Nimaichand Luwang and others have interacted with Meitei Professors, Associate Professors of Delhi University, colleges and Indian Statistical Institute etc on various needs of displaced people, especially issues related education of students, relief measures, and restoration of peace and normalcy in the State.
Further, five leaders of State JD(U), Ksh Biren Singh, Dr Nimaichand Luwang, Samuel Jendai, Dr Kh Loken Singh and Oinam Nabakishore Singh have met leaders of the party in Delhi and apprised them of the present situation in Manipur. They will leave no stone unturned till Central leaders pay attention to the situation in Manipur and take necessary action to resolve the problem in the State, said JD(U).
It may be noted that since the past few days many legislators of both the ruling and Opposition have gone to Delhi to seek an appointment with the Prime Minister, who has remained "silent" on the crisis. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts to the people in Mann Ki Baat on Akashvani on June 18, it may be recalled that the people in Samurou had burnt hundreds of radios on May 28 while Akashvani was relaying the PM's Mann Ki Baat.