BJP wants Manipur govt. dismissed
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded immediate dismissal of Manipur’s SPF government and imposition of President’s Rule till the fresh elections are conducted in the state. The party said immediate steps are needed to put an end to the economic blockade and do away with the feeling of alienation in the minds of the people of Manipur.
In a memorandum presented to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on October 21, BJP president Shri Nitin Gadkari, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Smt Sushma Swaraj and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Shri Arun Jaitely and BJP North-East Sampark Cell national convener Shri Sunil Deodhar termed the situation as grave in the state and demanded immediate intervention of the Centre.
The BJP said that the Prime Minister should lead an all party delegation to Manipur and provide the people of the State a much-needed healing touch. “The Union Government should make every attempt to bring amicable solution regarding Sadar Hills issue at the earliest and effective steps be taken urgently to put a full stop on rampant black marketing. Availability of essential commodities as well as petroleum products in sufficient quantity should be ensured all over the State. Special subsidy/suffering subsidy of Rs. 30,000 per month should be given to each family of the state to compensate the losses during the economic blockade so far. A long-term comprehensive policy for ending insurgency in this State should be framed forthwith while taking all the political parties and the people at large in confidence,” the memorandum said.
Since August 1, Manipur is facing a peculiar situation due to the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee’s (SDDC) agitation by way of the blockade of national Highways 39 and 37. Never in the past, people belonging to any State in India have undergone this kind of aggravation and hardships for no fault of theirs. Human Rights of the citizens are being violated practically everyday. An all pervading cynicism is aiding and abetting anti-national forces. The blockade of highways has caused serious inconveniences to the general innocent public. The supply of essential commodities, petroleum products and life-saving drugs is severely affected and black-marketeers are having a field day. Approximately, after 20 days of total bandh called by SDDC, United Naga Council (UNC) started counter blockade in protest against the demand for creation of Sadar Hills District. As a consequence, the people of Manipur, both in the hills as well as in the valleys, are caught in the crossfire and are suffering in multiple ways,” the memorandum said.
The memorandum further said the Manipur Government has miserably failed in tackling this grave situation. Already, the people of the State have been at the receiving end for more than three decades due to unabated insurgency. “It appears the central government seems to have taken a spectator’s role and no efforts seem to be underway for bringing normalcy in the State. No wonder that the commoners have lost faith in the system and this frustration may lead to yet another severe crisis. In a situation of this kind, anything can happen anywhere at anytime in the State,” the memorandum said.
By Pramod Kumar
