Opposition MLA Th Lokeshwar, on the floor of the House, expressed dismay over the treatment meted out by the Manipur government to the protesting IDPs and a journalist on Thursday.
During the zero hour of the ongoing Assembly Budget session, the MLA highlighted the grave concerns stemming from a recent clash between police and the IDPs.
He pointed out that the incident, characterised by alleged police brutality, resulted in numerous injuries, including those of IDPs, young students, and a journalist.
Shockingly, one protestor faces the grim prospect of amputation due to severe injuries sustained during the altercation, he added.
The MLA criticised the government for purportedly failing to preemptively engage with the IDPs before their rally, which he argued could have prevented the tragic escalation.
He emphasised the heightened emotions among IDPs, whose fate and future in the state remain uncertain, potentially exacerbating tensions and worsening the state of affairs.
Expressing dismay over the treatment meted out to a journalist, Lokeshwar raised serious questions about law enforcement’s commitment to upholding media freedom and maintaining law and order in Manipur.
He called upon all concerned parties, including the Speaker and the chief minister to ensure that such incidents are never repeated and that IDPs are treated with dignity and respect.
In a supplementary of a starred question, the MLA highlighted the challenges faced by villagers in vulnerable areas, particularly concerning the provision of basic amenities such as water, sanitation facilities, barracks, and food supplies for security personnel.
Despite the chief minister’s assertion in the answering of a starred question stating that the government has sanctioned funds for lodging and food for security personnel deployed in these areas under a specific scheme, Lokeshwar emphasised the persistent difficulties encountered by the villagers.
In response, the chief minister acknowledged that the issues may stem from the sudden deployment of security personnel based on situational demands.
However, he assured that the government is committed to addressing and resolving these concerns promptly.
Responding to another query on farmer compensation amidst the crisis, Agriculture Minister Th Biswajit stated that the first phase of compensation has already been distributed.
An additional Rs. 209.45 crore was released by the Centre on August 1, 2023, he said, adding that beneficiaries for the second phase have been identified, and a process has been initiated to disburse the funds to the beneficiaries.
For those farmers who lack the facilities to take geo-tagged photos of their farms and were excluded from the first and second phases, the minister assured that measures would be implemented to ensure they receive compensation in the third phase.
