NEW DELHI: Following the resurgence of violence in Manipur, where Union Minister Rajkumar Ranjan Singh‘s home in Imphal was set on fire by a mob on Thursday night, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien wrote a letter to the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on home affairs on Friday, urging an urgent meeting to assess the current situation in Manipur.
In the letter addressed to committee chairperson, BJP MP Brij Lal, who is also a former top police officer, O’Brien, the TMC’s parliamentary party leader in Rajya Sabha, emphasised the need for a committee meeting to address the consequences of ethnic violence in Manipur.
“I am writing to bring to your attention the urgent need for a meeting of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs to assess the ongoing violence in Manipur and show support for those affected by it. As representatives of our democratic system, it is crucial that we take this step,” stated the letter dated June 15.
O’Brien further highlighted reports from church authorities indicating that multiple churches have been vandalised. He described the situation as unprecedented, with soaring prices of essential commodities and long queues at ATMs. The recent incidents of violence in Manipur have raised concerns about the safety and well-being of the region’s residents. There have been reported casualties and thousands have been displaced. The imposition of shoot-at-sight orders has added to the prevailing atmosphere of fear in the state, he added.
“It is imperative that we understand the ground reality and assess the extent of the violence. In this regard, holding a standing committee meeting to discuss the ongoing violence in Manipur would provide first-hand insights into the situation,” O’Brien expressed. He urged for an immediate meeting of the Standing Committee to address the pressing issues faced by Manipur.
“I remain hopeful that, together, we can work towards restoring normalcy in the state of Manipur,” concluded the letter.
The ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur has resulted in more than 100 deaths over the past month. Curfews have been imposed in 11 districts, and internet services have been suspended to prevent the spread of rumors. The clashes began on May 3 after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Meiteis constitute about 53% of Manipur’s population and predominantly reside in the Imphal Valley, while the Nagas and Kukis, who account for 40%, reside in the hill districts.
In the letter addressed to committee chairperson, BJP MP Brij Lal, who is also a former top police officer, O’Brien, the TMC’s parliamentary party leader in Rajya Sabha, emphasised the need for a committee meeting to address the consequences of ethnic violence in Manipur.
“I am writing to bring to your attention the urgent need for a meeting of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs to assess the ongoing violence in Manipur and show support for those affected by it. As representatives of our democratic system, it is crucial that we take this step,” stated the letter dated June 15.
O’Brien further highlighted reports from church authorities indicating that multiple churches have been vandalised. He described the situation as unprecedented, with soaring prices of essential commodities and long queues at ATMs. The recent incidents of violence in Manipur have raised concerns about the safety and well-being of the region’s residents. There have been reported casualties and thousands have been displaced. The imposition of shoot-at-sight orders has added to the prevailing atmosphere of fear in the state, he added.
“It is imperative that we understand the ground reality and assess the extent of the violence. In this regard, holding a standing committee meeting to discuss the ongoing violence in Manipur would provide first-hand insights into the situation,” O’Brien expressed. He urged for an immediate meeting of the Standing Committee to address the pressing issues faced by Manipur.
“I remain hopeful that, together, we can work towards restoring normalcy in the state of Manipur,” concluded the letter.
The ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur has resulted in more than 100 deaths over the past month. Curfews have been imposed in 11 districts, and internet services have been suspended to prevent the spread of rumors. The clashes began on May 3 after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Meiteis constitute about 53% of Manipur’s population and predominantly reside in the Imphal Valley, while the Nagas and Kukis, who account for 40%, reside in the hill districts.
