In a memorandum submitted to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, on Tuesday, the Communist Party of India (CPI), Central Office, stated that the Union and state government have failed to curtailed violence in Manipur that erupted since May 3 this year.
In the memorandum, the CPI informed the President of their visit to Manipur from August 21-24 stating that “reports coming from Manipur for the last four months have disturbed the entire nation and the delegation visited the state to see the ground reality and make efforts for peace-building.
The delegation included CPI National Council secretaries Binoy Viswam MP, Dr. K. Narayana, Rama Krushna Panda and senior woman leader of the CPI from Assam, Asomi Gogoi”.
The CPI also informed the President of the delegation’s visit to areas dominated by all the ethnic groups in Manipur and their interactions with all sections of the society.
The party mentioned their findings here and how it took a horrific video for the Prime Minister to speak on Manipur. The Prime Minister’s prolonged silence and him not visiting the strife-torn state has eroded people’s faith in democratic institutions, the memorandum stated.
The educational ecosystem of the state is in a disarray, harming the future prospects of the younger generations. People all over the state expressed apprehensions about drug trade, poppy cultivation and threats to land, forests and natural resources. The issue of illegal migration and border fencing were also raised by people, the CPI stated.
The CPI also stated that the Union and State governments have failed in curtailing violence and divisions in the state and segregations have come to such a level that people from one community cannot visit the areas dominated by another community.
This strife needs immediate redressal and a political initiative engaging all sections of society in Manipur, the party said.
In the memorandum signed by D Raja, general secretary of the CPI, the party raised demands such as presence of MLAs belonging to different ethnic groups should be ensured in the Manipur Assembly Session; People have lost faith in the government of N Biren Singh and he should be removed from the post of Chief Minister; Immediate steps should be taken to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur;
Dialogue engaging all sections of society, political parties, civil society groups and opinions should be initiated to break the deadlock; Urgent steps should be taken to disarm all groups; Special package for relief and rehabilitation without any disparity should be sanctioned and adequate compensation for victims of violence, arson and displacement should be provided; Violence, arson and displacements have had a major impact on livelihoods throughout the state.
The party also demanded for adequate means of livelihood must be ensured for all affected people; Stringent action against all perpetrators and enablers of rapes, murder and violence; Initiative to bring normalcy in educational institutes; No student should be deprived from education; Internet services must be restored and made available to all; Special safety measures should be taken for women.
The CPI further demanded uninterrupted supply of medicines and medical services must be ensured to the people in relief camps and outside; Special needs of women, children and elderly should be prioritized; Special arrangements for patients of diseases like haemophilia, cancer, kidney ailments, diabetes, hypertension etc.
The party also stated that the Manipur Government of N Biren Singh has clamped down heavily on activists, journalists, intellectuals and others who were critical of the handling of the situation. All such FIRs, including the FIR against NFIW activists who went to Manipur on a fact-finding mission, should be immediately withdrawn, the party demanded.
