Imphal: Prof Angomcha Bimol Akoijam on Tuesday expressed his utter disappointment and anger at the elected members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly for their failure to discuss the situation in Manipur which has been prevailing for the last nearly four months now, the suffering of the people, their anguish at the grim prospect ahead in the one-day special session on Tuesday.

Manipur has been facing an unprecedented crisis that was never seen before, not just in Manipur but in the entire country. In nearly four months of violence, scores of people have been killed. The silence of agony, anguish, and untold suffering of people are filling up the sky everywhere. Despite all their pain and misery, there are people still out there who are willing to sacrifice their life for an ‘idea of Manipur’.

Notwithstanding their grievances, the conduct and actions shown by the so-called elected and representative members inside the house, without remotely thinking for a second of those people, are highly unsolicited and uncalled for, Akoijam, who teaches at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi said in a video message. 

On the other hand, there are people who are prepared to slice up the state at any opportune moment. Even the former Union Home Secretary is accusing the Central government of siding with the Meiteis, which is actually different from the ground reality, Prof Bimol said, without mentioning the name of Gopal Krishna Pillai, the former Union Home Secretary, who said in an interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire, that that situation in Manipur was ‘unheard of in post-independent India’ and added that he had no doubt about it when asked whether the Government of India has taken side with the Meiteis in the present Meitei-Kuki conflict.

It’s not the time, Bimol said, for party politics. If they truly care for the people, they would be able to cross Kangpokpi district and Kangvai in Churachandpur district which are not so far from the state capital, Bimol said.

The JNU teacher also called for a public assembly before September 3 either at Khuman Lampak Stadium or Mapal Kangjeibung where politicians, CSOs, intellectuals, all concerned citizens and stakeholders express their views and come to a collective decision on the crisis. Otherwise, people might take the law in their own hands and start targeting one another. Let’s not take people’s sentiment lightly, he warned.

(Reproduced with permission from www.thenortheastaffairs.com)