Former Manipur CM Ibobi Singh Criticizes Seven-Minute Speaking Time in All-Party Meeting

In a recent all-party meeting aimed at discussing the restoration of peace and normalcy in Manipur, former three-term Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh expressed his dissatisfaction with the limited speaking time he was allotted.

 

Singh, a member of the Congress party, claimed that he was given a mere seven minutes to share his concrete suggestions for resolving the ongoing turmoil in the state. Despite his requests for additional time, he was denied permission, leading Congress to condemn this treatment as an insult to both Singh and the entire state of Manipur.

 

Singh, who is credited with restoring peace and fostering development in Manipur since 2002, expressed disappointment in the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not personally chair the meeting. During a media address, he emphasized the strategic importance of Manipur, which shares a border with Myanmar and called for special attention from the Prime Minister to address the prolonged violence that has persisted for 52 days.

 

Among Singh's key demands was the government's immediate disarmament of all militant groups in the state. He further highlighted various issues concerning relief camps and the challenges faced by women in those camps, which he believes were disregarded by Home Minister Amit Shah during the meeting.

 

The Congress party, echoing Singh's sentiments, demanded the immediate dismissal of Chief Minister Biren Singh, asserting that peace in Manipur cannot be restored under his leadership.

 

Additionally, Congress called for an all-party delegation to visit the state, aiming to establish a comprehensive understanding of the ground realities.

 

Jairam Ramesh, the spokesperson for the All India Congress Committee (AICC), criticized the meeting for its lack of sensitivity towards the demands of different social groups. Ramesh argued that holding the meeting in Imphal, the capital of Manipur, would have sent a strong message to the people, emphasizing that "Manipur's pain is India's pain."

 

He also highlighted Chief Minister Biren Singh's decision to unilaterally backtrack on the Suspension of Operations agreement with militant groups as a contributing factor to the current tension.

 

Ramesh expressed his disappointment in the meeting, suggesting that it served as a mere formality to create the illusion of government action rather than genuinely addressing the challenges faced by Manipur.

 

He emphasized the need for the government to prioritize creating a consensus among various stakeholders to facilitate the return of normalcy to the state.

 

As Manipur continues to grapple with escalating violence and unrest, the dissatisfaction expressed by Okram Ibobi Singh and the Congress party underscores the pressing need for swift and effective measures to restore peace and security in the region.

 

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