Imphal: Lok Sabha members convened on March 11 to discuss the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, emphasizing that peace cannot be restored through military force alone. Instead, they advocated for a political solution to address the state’s lingering issues.
The BJP-led NDA government faced criticism for its handling of the crisis, with opposition members calling for a more nuanced approach. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi initiated the debate, stating that the government’s attempts to impose peace at gunpoint have failed. He urged the Centre to engage with the people of Manipur, listen to their concerns, and work towards a political resolution.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded to the debate, asserting that the law-and-order situation in Manipur has improved. She assured that the Centre will provide financial support to the state for economic development. However, opposition members pressed for a more comprehensive approach, addressing the structural inequalities in resource allocation and the need for sensitivity towards the state’s plight.
Lok Sabha members from Manipur, including Alfred Kanngam S Arthur and Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, echoed these concerns. Akoijam noted that if states like UP or Bihar faced similar issues, the government would have responded differently. He emphasized the need for the government to acknowledge the state’s struggles and demonstrate care through its budget allocations.
The debate also saw criticism from other opposition members, including SP’s Neeraj Maurya and Trinamool Congress’s Sayani Ghosh. They accused the government of inaction and silence on the issue, with Ghosh asserting that President’s Rule was imposed to salvage the BJP’s reputation rather than restore peace.
In response, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityananda Rai and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal defended the government’s actions, accusing opposition members of misleading the House and deviating from the financial aspects of the debate.
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