GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th August. The government of India bears the responsibility of defending Manipur and must take decisive action against the communal and divisive forces that have caused significant disruption in the state, Inner Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam said on Wednesday.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, the Congress MP highlighted that divisive elements, along with “foreign powers” and “illegal immigrants,” are hindering peace efforts in Manipur, which has been grappling with a crisis for the past 14 months.
“Peace efforts have been made, and an agreement was achieved by two communities in the Jiribam district, mediated by the security forces. Unfortunately, these efforts were undermined by communal, divisive, and sectarian forces,” Akoijam said.
He emphasized that the government of India has a “historical, political, moral, and legal responsibility to defend Manipur as an entity that existed before the commencement of this Constitution, as stated in schedule one of the Constitution.”
“In the instrument of accession signed by the then maharaja of the state on August 11, 1947, the defence of the state was handed over to the government of India. Therefore, the government of India must take stern action against these divisive forces aided by foreign elements,” he asserted.
Akoijam called for steps to distinguish citizens from non-citizens and urged the government to ensure the implementation of Article 19 in Manipur. “I appeal to this House as well as the government of India to ensure that Article 19 is upheld in Manipur, allowing people the freedom to move freely on highways and within the state, irrespective of their community,” the MP said.
Article 19 guarantees the right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and free movement throughout India.
The MP also called on the government to protect the properties of displaced individuals.
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