Govt of India responsible for defending Manipur, must act against divisive forces: MP

The government of India is responsible for defending Manipur and must take stern action against communal and divisive forces that have wreaked havoc in the state, according to Inner Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, the Congress MP highlighted that divisive elements, along with “foreign powers” and “illegal immigrants,” were disrupting peace efforts in the state, which has been facing a crisis for 14 months. Akoijam mentioned that peace efforts had been made, resulting in an agreement achieved by two communities in the district of Jiribam, mediated by the security forces.

However, these efforts were subverted by communal, divisive, and sectarian forces. He emphasized the historical, political, moral, and legal responsibility of the government of India to defend Manipur as an entity that existed before the commencement of the Constitution.

Akoijam highlighted that the defense of the state was handed over to the government of India through the instrument of accession signed by the then maharaja of the state on August 11, 1947. Therefore, he asserted that the government of India must take stern action against these divisive forces aided by foreign elements. Akoijam also stressed the need to delineate citizens from non-citizens and emphasized the significance of Article 19, which refers to the right to freedom of expression, assembly, and movement within the territory of India. Furthermore, he urged the government to ensure the safety of the properties of displaced people, emphasizing the importance of protecting the properties of internally displaced people in Manipur.