NEW DELHI: In a significant move, a delegation comprising 31 opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) met with President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday to raise concerns about the prevailing crisis in Manipur. The delegation, led by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, handed over a memorandum to the President, urging her intervention to address the escalating situation in the northeastern state.
The delegation consisted of 31 members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A), who had recently visited Manipur on July 29-30. During the meeting with President Murmu, the MPs briefed her on the dire conditions in the state, particularly focusing on the atrocities against women and the urgent need for rehabilitation efforts.
Mallikarjun Kharge stated that their primary demand was for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur and take concrete steps towards restoring peace and normalcy in the region. The opposition had previously called for the Prime Minister to make a statement in Parliament, followed by a comprehensive discussion on the violence in Manipur. However, their demands remained unfulfilled, leading them to seek the President's intervention.
The opposition parties emphasized the ongoing violence and claimed that it continued to persist despite their appeals for the Prime Minister's attention. Seeking immediate action, they urged the dismissal of the BJP-ruled Biren Singh government in Manipur.
Earlier, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had requested time from the President on behalf of the opposition parties to discuss the Manipur issue. Subsequently, the President granted the delegation an audience on Wednesday at 11.30 am.
The delegation's visit to Manipur allowed them to witness firsthand the devastating impact of the ethnic strife. They interacted with affected people in relief camps in both the hills and the valley, gaining insights into the gravity of the situation.
"Our main demand is that the Prime Minister should visit Manipur and take decisive steps to restore peace in the state," stated Kharge, underlining the opposition's central demand. He further explained that the intention behind this demand was to encourage a comprehensive discussion on the ongoing violence and instability.
As the opposition MPs conveyed the ground reality to President Murmu, they received a positive response from her. The President assured them that she would carefully review the memorandum and the concerns raised during the meeting.
In their ongoing efforts to address the crisis, the opposition parties remain steadfast in their demand for the dismissal of the Biren Singh government and the restoration of law and order in Manipur. They continue to rally for the Prime Minister's statement and comprehensive discussions on the issue in Parliament.
The situation in Manipur has been described as "grave" by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, who was also part of the delegation that visited the troubled state.
As the nation watches the unfolding developments in Manipur, the opposition's plea for the President's intervention brings further attention to the crisis and its urgent need for resolution.
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