Congress’s Outer Manipur MP Alfred Arthur Kanngam on Saturday questioned the government’s handling of the situation in the northeastern state and sought to know from PM Narendra Modi “why has he till date not been answerable to the people” of the state.
During a debate on the Constitution in LS, he said, “On May 3, 2023, I need not remind this House or this nation of what happened in Manipur. What has been happening in the last 19 months. Last time I spoke in this House, I had clearly said that as a citizen of this nation and coming from a family which has contributed in building this nation, it is my right to ask for justice.
Why is it till today that my PM — someone who this nation believes in, and I also wish to believe in — why has he till date not been answerable to the people of Manipur. Is it too much for me to ask?”
“Those children, women across communities have lost their lives. They can’t be victimized for a cause for which this nation or state can’t handle? Is my nation so weak? That you can’t protect the lives and properties of civilians in Manipur,” he said, and stressed that “this is not a war against either party — be it the Treasury or the Opposition” and that “it was a war against humanity”.
Appealing to the members of the Treasury benches to stand up for the people of Manipur and bring justice to them, he said, “Please wake up, speak to your people. How difficult is it for the nation which is going to become the third largest economy. You talk only of the economy. What will the economy do when there are no people? I ask the conscience of this House and the leadership of this nation. Stand up, be with your brothers and sisters in Manipur and bring about justice. And be accountable for all actions.”
Meanwhile, Manipur Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam walked out of the LS just before the PM’s speech as a protest against “his response, or rather lack of response, on the Manipur crisis”.
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