IMPHAL | Dec 10 : The Congress party was compelled to shift the venue of its sit-in protest demonstration demanding the content of the “Framework Agreement” following disturbances caused by miscreants in Heingang constituency.
As a part of the their continued protest demanding the contents of “Framework Agreement” the Congress party scheduled was to organised the sit-in demonstration at Leipham Khunou Soibam Leikai ground.
However, the sit-in was later shifted to Heingang Mayai Leikai, at the residence of one P. Saratchandra, a member of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, (MPCC) following an alleged protest lodged by miscreants not to organise such protest in Heingang constituency.
Speaking during the sit-in demonstration at Heingang Mayai Leikai, former deputy chief minister, Gaikhangam, strongly condemning the intervention termed it as an unfortunate incident.
He said that the ongoing protest of the Congress party is not aimed at gaining political mileage but serves the interest of people and the state.
Particularly implying to the BJP, he advised that it would be wise for any political party to stop playing narrow minded politics and take into consideration the sensitivity of the issue.
The latest move of the rival party amounts to encouraging the NSCM-IM and its demand, he contended.
The senior congress legislator also further termed the disturbance as an act of supressing the freedom of speech in a democratic society.
He maintained that the move of the rival party would only invite another uprising of the people.
Former chief minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh said to obstruct the sit in protest which has been held in a continuing manner at each assembly constituencies by the congress party, is undemocratic.
In a democratic society everyone has their right to express their views and opinion, he said.
Ibobi also ridiculed the limited knowledge of the newly elected ministers in the present government on the initiatives taken by the Congress government against the interest of Manipur’s integrity.
Member, MPCC, P. Saratchandra said while making preparations to organise the sit in protest at the ground at Kairang Muslim under Hiengang assembly constituency, some people came and asked not to organise the protest, providing the reason that the place was under chief minster’s assembly constituency and their organising such sit in protest at that spot would go against the interest of chief minister.
As the shifted the spot to Laipham Khunou today to organise the sit in protest, some people who were allegedly close the chief minister, N. Biren, came over to area and stopped them from holding the protest, he said. They warned if the organisers hold the protest despite their warnings, then Heingang block congress committee will be held responsible for any untoward outcome, he informed.
Moreover, roadways leading to the venue where the protest was going to be held were kept blocked with logs and bamboos, due to which many people who came to attend the occasion could not reach the area and left disheartened, some with tears, he added.
Source: Imphal Free Press
