21-member Opposition delegation to arrive in Imphal for 2-day Manipur visit

• Image Credit: ANI

• Jul 29, 2023 | Dhupali Das

A 21-member delegation from the grand opposition alliance, I.N.D.I.A, is scheduled to arrive in Imphal on...

Digital Desk: A 21-member delegation from the grand opposition alliance, I.N.D.I.A, is scheduled to arrive in Imphal on Saturday for a two-day visit to violence-torn Manipur.

The visit follows a chorus from the Opposition for a debate on the Manipur situation, as well as a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has resulted in frequent disruptions and adjournments in both Houses of Parliament.

The Northeast state has been rocked by ethnic violence, which erupted in response to a Manipur High Court ruling seeking that the state administration considers adding the Meitei tribe to the list of Scheduled Tribes (STS).

In the midst of the ongoing violence, a video from May 4, when the clashes started, reportedly showed two women being paraded naked.

The viral video sparked a heated debate between the BJP-led Centre and the Opposition, both within and outside of Parliament, about the current condition of affairs in the Northeast state.

Members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) caused a commotion, disrupting and obstructing proceedings in both Houses, demanding that all scheduled business in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha be set aside for a discussion on Manipur.

The visit by the I.N.D.I.A delegation came as Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla accepted an Opposition motion of no confidence in the Centre over the Manipur crisis.

The motion was tabled in the Lower House by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, who is part of the delegation visiting Manipur on Saturday.

Opposition leaders defended the motion against the Centre, saying it was intended to compel a reaction from Prime Minister Modi in Parliament regarding the Manipur situation.

The 21-member Opposition delegation, from both Houses, includes Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Gaurav Gogoi. K Suresh and Phulo Devi Netam of the Congress; Rajiv Ranjan Lalan Singh of the JDU: Sushmita Dev from Trinamool Congress; Kanimozhi from DMK; Sandosh Kumar of the CPI; AA Rahim from CPI (M); Manoj Kumar Jha of RJD; Javed Ali Khan of SP: Mahua Maji of JMM; PP Mohammed Faizal of NCP: Aneel Prasad Hegde of JDU, ET Mohammed Basheer of IUML; NK Premachandran of RSP; Sushil Gupta of AAP; Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena (UBT); D Ravikumar of VCK, Thiru Thol Thirumavalavan also of VCK; and Jayant Singh of the RLD.

According to the schedule, the delegation, divided into two groups, will arrive at the Imphal airport at 12 p.m. on Saturday and will depart for Churachandpur, the epicenter of the state's ethnic strife. The delegation will most likely make a press conference later in the day at around 8.30 p.m.

Since the commencement of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on July 20, opposition members have been adamant about a discussion on Manipur and a statement from Prime Minister Modi on the current condition of events in the state.

While the Treasury stated that it was ready for a discussion on Manipur, the Opposition insisted on a debate under an adjournment motion.

Despite the disruptions in the Rajya Sabha caused by the Manipur issue, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar met with leaders of all Opposition parties on Friday to plan the Upper House's operations next week.

The BJP's Rajya Sabha Leader and Union Minister Piyush Goyal stated on Friday that the Opposition should ensure the efficient functioning of the House through conversation, debate, and discussion.

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Manipur and announced many initiatives to restore peace.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had visited the state in June. 

Source: ANI