Imphal: Manipur Democratic Alliance (MDA) has submitted a memorandum to several top central leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President J.P. Nadda, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat, demanding to re-establish the people’s government.
MDA convenor M. Tombi Singh, talking to reporters at the alliance’s office in Babupara, here on Sunday, criticised the imposition of President’s Rule in the state. “It has failed to initiate any meaningful development or peace-building measures.”
“People have been demanding the return of a popular government since February 13, when the Assembly was placed under suspended animation,” Tombi said. “Under President’s Rule, no significant steps have been taken to restore normalcy.”
In the ongoing humanitarian crisis, Tombi said, thousands of people displaced by ethnic violence are still sheltering in relief camps, with no concrete action from legislators to facilitate their return home.
He alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah imposed President’s Rule after directing Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to resign, citing Biren’s inability to manage the worsening political and ethnic unrest.
Tombi blamed the roots of the current conflict on the Congress government of 2005, which, he said, entered into bilateral talks with Kuki militants based in Myanmar. “The talks later became tripartite in 2008. During this time, over 1,000 villages in the hill areas were officially recognised through local district commissioners,” he said.
“These actions allowed a large number of illegal immigrants from Myanmar to settle in these areas and begin poppy cultivation,” Tombi alleged. “The present MDA-led government took steps to eliminate these illegal activities, yet the Congress is now placing blame on us.”
He concluded by stating that the time has come to uproot the Congress party from Manipur’s political landscape.
