Imphal: Manipur Government spokespersons MLA Th. Radheshyam and MLA Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh today said that the agitation being carried out by JFD (Campaign for Justice and Fair Delimitation) demanding the closure of government offices under both the Central and State Governments in connection with the updating of the NRC should be withdrawn, and appealed all concerned not to add more misery to the sufferings and inconveniences of the public.
This was stated during a press meet held today at the Durbar Hall of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat at Babupara in Imphal.
During the press meet, MLA Th. Radheshyam Singh stated that the State Government is fully aware of the JFD’s demand and the people of Manipur also want the NRC be conducted before the Census.
He said that the 8th session of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly reaffirmed its earlier resolution to conduct NRC before the Census, and Hon’ble Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has conveyed the same to the Central Government.
He added that on the last day of the recently-concluded Assembly session, a discussion regarding the base year of the NRC with 1951 took place in the House and the matter has already been conveyed to the Union Home Ministry.
He stated that following the campaign by the members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly in New Delhi, the Chief Minister too conveyed the Central leaders about the people’s desire. Consequently, the Union Home Ministry has also postponed the Census process.
Against this backdrop, the JFD has intensified its agitation by calling for the closure of government offices. Such an agitation may lead to various undesirable incidents and affect the functioning of the State Government, he added.
Radheshyam further appealed to the JFD not to intensify the agitation. He also urged the organisation not to continue such activities for a prolonged period, as prolonged agitation in the State could cause greater inconvenience to the people. He appealed all the sections of the public ‘to give peace a chance in Manipur’ and to support the endeavours of the current government in restoring and normalcy to the State.
The spokespersons also made to clear during the press meet that the Home Minister of Manipur, Govindas Konthoujam along with some other MLAs are camping in New Delhi for the past few days to pressurize the Centre regarding the conduct of NRC, 1951. They also expressed that it is highly hopeful that Centre will act as per the wishes of the people of the State.
