IMPHAL: Today, on Tuesday, August 29, Manipur is poised to hold a pivotal one-day assembly session. This marks the first such gathering since the eruption of ethnic conflicts on May 3, resulting in the tragic loss of over 160 lives and numerous injuries. Notably, the last assembly session in this northeastern state took place in March, adhering to the convention of convening sessions every six months.
Outlined below is a comprehensive overview of the Manipur Assembly session, encapsulated in ten key points:
Six out of the ten legislators representing Kuki-dominated regions have already submitted requests for leave of absence to the assembly speaker.
Initially, the government had proposed a session by August 21, but due to a lack of approval from the Raj Bhavan, the date was subsequently adjusted to August 28. Finally, the Chief Minister's Office confirmed that the assembly would reconvene on August 29.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) have recently expressed their opposition to the session, citing an unfavorable environment for Kuki-Zo legislators to participate, given the current circumstances.
In a joint statement issued on Sunday, both organizations highlighted the deteriorating law and order situation and the state government's failure to safeguard the well-being of citizens and officials. They characterized the decision to hold the session as "illogical and irrational."
Okram Ibobi Singh, former Manipur Chief Minister and Congress leader, voiced skepticism on Saturday, referring to the assembly session as a superficial move that does not serve the public's interests.
Singh commented on the session's probable agenda, suggesting that it would predominantly revolve around obituary references. He noted that historically, days earmarked for obituary references tend to sideline other legislative matters.
As a committee member, Singh proposed that the session should span at least five days to accommodate discussions on the unprecedented state of affairs in the region. He emphasized that the opposition's limited representation is not intended for government criticism, but rather for deliberating matters of public concern.
Union Minister B L Verma affirmed on Monday that Manipur's situation remains "firmly under control."
Verma, who oversees the Development of the North Eastern Region, underscored that beyond the incidents in Manipur, the broader region has experienced relative peace since 2014.
Tracing back to May 3 when ethnic clashes erupted following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' against the Meitei community's quest for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, the turmoil has led to the loss of over 160 lives and injuries sustained by several hundred individuals.
In essence, Manipur's forthcoming assembly session stands as a significant juncture, laden with both apprehensions and expectations, as stakeholders grapple with the aftermath of recent tragedies and pressing legislative matters.
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