‘Secure release of children, women’

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 13 : The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has called for immediate release of the six Meetei civilians (three minors and three women) who reportedly have been abducted by Kuki militants.
Addressing the media at his quarter today, former Chief Minister cum CLP leader Okram Ibobi said that releasing the six innocent civilians on humanitarian ground would be a wise and judicious decision.
Who holds these children and women captive is known by all though there is no evidence of where they are, he added.
Saying that Congress is not power hungry and doesn't want to exploit the situation in Manipur, the former Chief Minister maintained that the first responsibility of a Government, however, is to enforce law and order and protect the lives and  properties of the people.
There is no point in having an elected Government if they cannot ensure the safety of the people, Ibobi added.
Taking strong exception to the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister on the abduction of even children and women, Ibobi asked whether the Central leadership sees the people of Manipur like some sort of insects.
He further asked whether the Centre is deliberately overlooking the unrest in Manipur so that the bloodshed will continue.
Is Manipur not a part of India to the present regime at New Delhi, he asked while adding that the unrest in Manipur could have ended months back had the Centre and the State Government put in sincere efforts.
Saying that tens of thousands of people are still taking refuge in different relief camps since the last 18 months not knowing when they can return home, Ibobi maintained that no State in India has gone through what Manipur has been experiencing.
There is no room for violence in a democratic Nation like India, he continued and added that the only way to restore normalcy in Manipur is through dialogue.
Ibobi went on to state that Congress had given different suggestions to the ruling party to resolve the crisis in Manipur right from the first all political party meeting chaired by Union Home Amit Shah.
Stating that they suggested the Government to create an atmosphere where the two warring communities can hold a dialogue, the former Chief Minister said that Congress also suggested Amit Shah to disarm the people first and douse the flame of hatred between the two communities for the talk to yield result.
He also said that the Government should crack down on the armed miscreants if the situation demands.
Saying that an internally displaced person committed suicide recently and it speaks volume  of the untold suffering which the people in relief camps have been enduring, Ibobi maintained that the rise in extortion cases is another serious factor which torment the people.
The Centre has overlooked all these problems besieging Manipur, Ibobi claimed and  questioned what benefit the country by letting Manipur burn.
The CLP leader also said  that the State Government has failed to protect the lives and properties of the people.
Saying that the Centre has to create a conducive situation for a talk to happen between the two sides without compromising the unity and integrity of Manipur, Ibobi added what will happen in Manipur the next moment remains unclear due to the unfolding situation.
 To a media query, Ibobi said that Congress   and INDIA Bloc leaders camped in New Delhi for about two weeks while seeking an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the crisis.
He said  that the Prime Minister didn't accept the request to meet them and has been ignoring the repeated appeals by AICC leaders to visit Manipur.
Saying that Chief Minister N Biren Singh also  cannot seek an appointment with the Prime  Minister despite being the Chief Minister of the State, Ibobi maintained that the Prime  Minister didn't meet even the Ministers and MLAs of  his  own party.
Ibobi continued that they are now ashamed to seek an appointment with the Prime Minister.
The Governor is in Assam now at these times of crisis in Manipur and it shows the lack of seriousness on the part of the Centre, he said.
MPCC president K Meghachandra, Deputy CLP leader MLA K Ranjit, MLAs Th Lokeshwor, Surjakumar Okram, former MPCC president  N Loken and former  Minister M Oken also attended the press briefing.