Cong discusses ongoing crisis with Bhalla

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 8: A delegation of the Congress led by CLP leader Okram Ibobi and MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam called on Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan here today and discussed the present crisis besieging the State.
During the meeting with the Governor, the delegation led by Okram Ibobi urged the Governor to bring peace in Manipur and shared suggestions for working out a solution to the crisis.
The Governor welcomed the suggestions and ideas shared by the Congress leaders and expressed his willingness to work collectively towards bringing peace, said CLP leader Okram Ibobi after the meeting.
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Keisham Meghachandra, Deputy CLP leader MLA K Ranjit, MLA Th Lokeshwar, MLA Okram Surjakumar were part of the delegation.
Briefing media persons at Raj Bhavan gate after the meeting, CLP leader Okram Ibobi said the Congress delegation discussed the nearly 2-year-old conflict with the Governor and apprised him of the suffering it has brought to the people of the State.
He said the Congress leaders urged the Governor to bring a solution to the conflict and bring peace.
Ibobi said the Governor asked the Congress leaders for suggestions, and the party gave constructive ideas and suggestions to help bring peace.
The Congress party assured the Governor assistance in all efforts to bring about a solution and restore peace, Ibobi added.
The CLP leader said the Congress team apprised the Governor of the grievances and suffering of the internally displaced persons staying in relief camps since the beginning of the conflict.
During the meeting, the delegation raised concern about the increasing number of cases of suicide among internally displaced persons at relief camps.
"When the Governor was returning to Imphal after visiting relief camps at Churachandpur yesterday, a newly married woman at a relief camp at Mekola was found hung to death. Such incidents have occurred in the past. Cases of suicide at relief camps as a result of the present conflict is increasing," Ibobi said.
The Congress leaders appealed to the Governor to swiftly bring about a solution and restore peace in the State to avoid such tragedies in the future, Ibobi added.
"A pause or cessation in firing between two sides can't be shown as the return of normalcy. Normalcy and peace will return when internally displaced persons staying in relief camps are able to return to their original homes and villages without any fear," Ibobi said.
Every effort must be put in to facilitate return of the internally displaced persons to their original homes, he added.
The Governor heard and took notes of the suggestions and ideas, the Congress delegation shared, and urged upon working collectively to bring peace to Manipur, Ibobi said. The violent conflict since May 3, 2023 has entered the 617th day today.