Resolve conflict within fixed time frame or resign: MPCC to CM

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 17: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has asserted that Chief Minister N Biren Singh should resign from his office on moral grounds if he is unable to formulate a solution to the ongoing crisis within a specified time frame.
Speaking to media persons during a press conference held at Congress Bhavan, BT Road, MPCC general secretary Pangeijam Saratchandra pointed out the manifold ways in which people of Manipur have faced hardships due to the present turmoil.
He stated that barring some lower classes, students in higher classes have been deprived of their education even as the conflict enters the 75th day.
Referring to the internet shutdown which has been imposed for more than two-months, he maintained that the State has been cut off from the rest of the world and compared Manipur to a "dark State" in the digital age.
Aside from this, he stressed on the economic blockade that has led to sky rocketing of prices and scarcity of essential commodities, difficulties in carrying out farming activities in the foothill areas despite the State's assurance to provide security cover, relief camp inmates whose lives are stuck in limbo and so on.
Accusing the Government at Centre and State of not taking enough measures to contain the crisis, he opined that the Manipur Government exists simply for namesake.
Highlighting the importance of Manipur in the Indian Government's Act East Policy, P Saratchandra rued that the Prime Minister has not spared a single word for the State as he travels from one country to the next.
Recalling Union Home Minister Amit Shah's assurance to dole out stringent punishment to SoO cadres who have violated the ground rules of the pact, he stated that the Chief Minister should not remain silent on this matter.
"Instances of violence have not ceased till today. The State Government should fix a specific time frame with the goal of bringing peace and resolution. In case of failure, the Chief Minister and other legislators should resign. We do not want a Government that simply exists on paper", he said.
Stating that the people and the State administration should remember the old adage "If you are scared, do not go forward; if you go forward; never retreat", he asserted that the State Government needs to initiate a dialogue in order to restore peace. He added that the Government should try to resolve the crisis with compromises on both sides.