Imphal: Senior politician and Ex-MLA, O. Joy Singh-led team of four former MLAs namely, R.K. Anand Singh, E. Chand Singh and P. Sharatchandra Singh called on the Governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday and requested to initiate peace process to bring peace and normalcy in the State.
The team submitted a memorandum to the Governor urging to stop all forms of violence. They said, as concerned citizens, they believe in parliamentary democracy and therefore, the Centre should solve the unrest through democratic means.
Appreciating the role of the Governor in the run-up for bringing back peace and normalcy in the State, they said, the people of the State believe that the Governor will initiate a dialogue process with the two communities so that a durable solution to the ongoing conflict is achieved. They requested the Governor to urge the Prime Minister to take steps to bring back peace as a gift of the coming New Year.
They urged the Governor to take steps to implement NRC with a base year as 1951, reviewing of Suspension-of-Operation Agreement with Chin-Kuki armed groups, ensuring free and safe movement of people and goods in the national highways, conducting elections to Autonomous District Councils and other local self-government institutions and creation of Legislative Council of Manipur. They also urged the Centre and State government to ensure a White Paper on Manipur’s integrity is placed and discussed in the current session of the Parliament.
The Governor while welcoming the suggestions made by the team said, the Centre is taking the issue seriously and discussions are on with various stakeholders including leaders of CSOs. She said the suggestions put up from different corners have been noted and sent to the Centre from time to time.
She said she is in touch with the Prime Minister and Home Minister. The governor assured the team that she would put up their suggestions to the Prime Minister when she met him in New Delhi and asked the team to continue their efforts to bring back peace and normalcy in the best interest of the People of Manipur.
On the other hand, Ramesh Sharma, National Coordinator, Ekta Parishad along with Aribam Rishikanta Sharma, State Coordinator of the Parishad called on the Governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday and apprised her of the various activities taken up by the Parishad to extend assistance to the internally displaced people in relief camps in the hills and valley districts of Manipur.
They said, Ekta Parishad will continue their efforts to extend support to the violence-affected people and relief items like baby foods, blankets etc. will be distributed further. They informed the Governor that a team of doctors from Chhattisgarh will visit the State in January.
The governor appreciated the efforts made by the Parishad and asked them to visit relief camps both in the hills and in the valley districts and to enquire about the requirements of the people. She said the administration is also trying its best to deliver whatever the requirements of people in the relief camps. Stating that giving mental support to the displaced people is equally important, Governor asked the team to arrange counseling sessions at the relief camps.
