INDIA Bloc from Manipur Protests in Delhi for Resolution of Ethnic Conflict

New Delhi/Imphal, Dec 9 (NationPress) The INDIA Bloc representatives from Manipur staged a sit-in demonstration in Delhi on Monday, insisting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make an urgent visit to the state affected by violence to help resolve the prolonged 19-month ethnic conflict.

While addressing the crowd at Jantar Mantar in the national capital, leaders from the 10-party INDIA Bloc asserted that both the Central and state governments have failed to address the ethnic crisis, which has wreaked havoc on the lives of the citizens due to ongoing violence.

The bloc's leaders also called for the dismissal of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, citing his “total failure” in managing the clashes between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities.

Numerous opposition figures, including Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, Congress' deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, and CPI General Secretary D Raja, joined the protest.

Ramesh emphasized that Manipur is suffering from unprecedented turmoil, which includes continuous curfews, internet shutdowns, soaring prices of essentials, lack of medical supplies, ongoing violence, blocked highways, rising extortion, threats, and disturbances, resulting in a complete breakdown of law and order, violation of the right to life and property, loss of lives, and a bleak future for the youth, alongside disruption to the operations of schools, colleges, universities, and professional institutions in the region.

The INDIA Bloc from Manipur has resolved to present four demands to the President of India and the Prime Minister, as shared in a post on X.

These demands comprise an urgent visit by the Prime Minister to Manipur to restore peace and order without compromising the territorial integrity of the state.

“The Chief Minister of Manipur should be dismissed immediately for allowing the state to remain in turmoil for the past 19 months. Until peace and normalcy are achieved, the INDIA Bloc, Manipur will persist in its democratic efforts to restore harmony in the state. We solemnly affirm our commitment to collaborate irrespective of caste, creed, community, or ethnicity to foster love, unity, and integrity in Manipur,” stated the Congress leader.

Notable attendees at the protest included Manipur Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh, state CLP leader Okram Ibobi, K. Ranjit, Lokeshwar Singh, Surjakumar Singh, and other Congress MLAs, along with Manipur CPI (M) leader Kshetrimayum Shanta.

CPI leader D. Raja raised concerns regarding the Central government’s commitment to national unity, pointing out PM Modi’s silence on the crisis in Manipur.

On December 6, the 10-party INDIA Bloc in Manipur had similarly urged the Prime Minister to visit the state at the earliest or engage in discussions with local political parties in New Delhi.

On that day, the bloc, led by the Congress, submitted a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), requesting Modi’s visit to help resolve the 19-month ethnic conflict.

In the meantime, approximately 20 civil society organizations and student groups from the Imphal Valley announced intentions to hold a rally in Delhi on December 22.