Imphal, June 16: Derek O’Brien, a senior Member of Parliament from the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), has written a letter to the chairman of the Standing Committee for Home Affairs, urging for an immediate discussion on the escalating violence in Manipur.
The letter highlights the concerns about the safety and well-being of the people in the region, with reports of casualties and displacement.
O’Brien emphasizes the need to understand the ground reality and assess the extent of the violence, suggesting that a standing committee meeting would provide valuable insights into the situation.
Referring to the ongoing violence that has persisted for over six weeks, O’Brien urges the chairman to convene a meeting of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs to address the issues faced by Manipur.
The aim is to work towards restoring normalcy in the state. Meanwhile, the residence of Union Minister Rajkumar Ranjan Singh in Imphal’s Kongba was set on fire by miscreants on Thursday night. Fortunately, the minister and his family were not present during the incident.
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Singh expresses his sadness over the incident and condemns violence. He urges all communities, including the Meiti and Kuki tribes, to refrain from violence and work towards restoring peace. Singh believes that violence only harms the nation and reflects a disregard for humanity.
The violence in Manipur reached a critical point on June 14, resulting in nine deaths and over ten injuries. The state government extended the internet clampdown until June 20. Earlier, miscreants attempted to burn down the official residence of Manipur minister Nemcha Kipgen in Imphal West, causing partial damage.
The state of Manipur has faced restrictions and internet clampdowns for over a month now. Home Minister Amit Shah visited the state from May 29 to June 1, holding meetings with various stakeholders to address the situation. He announced the formation of a peace committee, which was established shortly after his visit.
The violence in Manipur originated from clashes during a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) on May 3, opposing the inclusion of Meitei/Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. The state has witnessed ongoing ethnic violence, triggered by a directive from the High Court to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST list.
Central paramilitary forces were deployed in Manipur to control the violence and continue to remain stationed across the state. The urgent discussion called for by Derek O’Brien aims to address the alarming situation and find ways to restore peace in Manipur.
