INDIA Bloc Manipur is hell-bent on staging a demonstration in New Delhi on December 9 (tomorrow) against alleged inaction of the Central and state government to end violent ethnic crisis unfolding in the state even if no permission is granted.
The alliance of 10 political parties in Manipur had planned to stage a sit-in-protest at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on December 6 last. However, it was stalled after it was denied permission by the authorities there.
“INDIA Bloc Manipur is all set to stage the protest at Delhi tomorrow even if no permission is granted. More members of the bloc will head for Delhi today to join the protest,” said chief spokesperson of MPCC Hareshwar Goswami.
Another team of the INDIA Bloc Manipur led by Hareshwar Goswami, who is also the vice president of the MPCC, left for New Delhi today to participate in the planned protest at Jantar Mantar on December 9.
Most of the leaders of the bloc, including state Congress leader and former Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh, party’s sitting MLAs and INDIA Bloc Manipur convener and CPI(M) leader Ksh Shanta are already in the national capital for the purpose.
Addressing the media before leaving Imphal for Delhi on Sunday, the chief spokesperson said, “Whether the permission is granted or not, we will stage the protest tomorrow and we are ready to face all the consequences arising out of it.”
The MPCC chief spokesperson said that the INDIA Bloc Manipur, the alliance of 10 political parties in the state, has been pressing both the Central and the state government to resolve the violence crisis unfolding in the state since May 3, 2023.
Memorandums were submitted to the President of India, Prime Minister, Union home minister and Manipur Governor regarding the matter.
Leaders of the bloc had also attempted to meet the Prime Minister and Union home minister on many occasions. Besides this, the constituents of the bloc had also, on several occasions, urged the BJP-led government in the state to convene an all-political-party meeting.
In the state Assembly too, the Congress had pressed the government to deliberate in threadbare the issue so that a concrete resolution that would help resolve the crisis was passed by the house.
Unfortunately, none of the demands and suggestions placed by the opposition parties was taken for consideration by the government and no step was taken up to resolve the crisis on the part of the government till date.
In case of no positive response from the Centre and the state government even after the proposed protest at the national capital, the INDIA Bloc Manipur said it will launch various democratic forms of agitations across the country.
Earlier in the day, MPCC president K Meghachandra appealed to the public via the internet to join the peaceful sit-in demonstration, scheduled to begin at 1pm at Jantar Mantar.
In a post on the X, Meghachandra emphasized the dire situation in Manipur, where escalating violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities has led to widespread displacement, loss of life, and devastation.
The protest is intended to raise awareness and push for immediate government action to resolve the crisis, he wrote. However, the path to Jantar Mantar has been fraught with challenges, he added, recalling stalling of earlier plans owing to denial of permission.
He stressed the crucial need for such a protest to demand a political solution, engage in dialogue, and secure justice for the affected communities.
Meanwhile, leaders and members of the INDIA Bloc Manipur camp in New Delhi today convened a preparatory meeting for the planned protest at Manipur Bhavan.
