IMPHAL, Dec 12: Congress MP A Bimol Akoijam has called for the ongoing crisis in Manipur to be addressed as a national issue, urging both the central and state governments to work together to find effective solutions. His comments came after Gaurav Gogoi, the Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, raised the situation in Manipur in Parliament, describing it as a “grave humanitarian crisis.”
In a tweet on Thursday, Akoijam expressed his support for Gogoi’s statement, saying, “Glad to hear such voices to make the deaf Government of India hear the plight of the people of Manipur!” He applauded Gogoi for highlighting the worsening situation in the state, including escalating violence and instability.
During his speech in the Lok Sabha on December 11, Gogoi criticized the government for its failure to address the crisis, accusing it of diverting attention to unrelated matters like financier George Soros. “This government, in order to hide its failure in Manipur, is using George Soros as a shield,” Gogoi said, sparking heated exchanges in the House.
Gogoi painted a grim picture of the current conditions in Manipur, noting the rampant extortion, a shattered economy, and collapsing public services. He also pointed out the rise in illegal activities such as the trade of arms, drugs, and timber, which have further destabilized the region.
The Congress leader expressed deep concern over the impact of the violence on education and healthcare, mentioning that schools and colleges remain closed, putting thousands of students at risk of losing their academic year. He also highlighted the damage to healthcare facilities and the prevailing fear and uncertainty among the people of Manipur.
In a direct challenge to the ruling BJP, Gogoi demanded answers from the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah. “The people of Manipur only want to know when Prime Minister Modi will visit the state and when the Home Minister will address Parliament on the steps needed to resolve the situation,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of government action.
