Imphal, Oct 20: An INDIA bloc delegation, on Tuesday, urged Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation and explore political intervention at the Centre to address the continuing crisis.
The delegation, led by former chief minister and Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh, met Khemchand at his official residence in Babupara at 11 am, a day after three civilians were killed by armed miscreants at Nongshum in Imphal East district.
In a statement following the meeting, Khemchand said the representatives had expressed deep concern over the killings and urged him to convene an all-party meeting.
“I gave them a patient hearing and assured them that the matter would be looked into,” the Chief Minister said, describing the discussions as constructive.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Ibobi said the delegation had submitted several suggestions, including bringing political parties together for collective deliberations on the crisis.
“We are all INDIA bloc representatives. We sought an appointment with the Chief Minister regarding the prevailing law and order situation and put forward a number of suggestions,” he said.
Ibobi also suggested that the Chief Minister facilitate a meeting between political representatives and Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
He said Khemchand could forward the names of the proposed delegates and the purpose of the meeting to the Centre through his office.
Expressing anguish over the recurring violence, he questioned how long people could continue to endure the loss of lives.
“How long can we tolerate this? Day by day, people are killing each other,” he said, referring to the continuing bloodshed involving Naga, Kuki and Meitei communities.
Ibobi stressed that safeguarding lives and property is the state government’s fundamental responsibility and called for effective intervention to prevent further killings.
Asked about the Chief Minister’s response, Ibobi said Khemchand had indicated that an all-party meeting could be convened “as and when necessary”.
However, no date was fixed for the proposed meeting, and the delegation had not set a deadline, he added.
The appeal comes amid renewed tensions following a fresh spate of violence in Manipur over the past 48 hours, with four people reportedly killed in incidents near Uyumpok and Nongshum in Imphal East district and in Thoubal.
Meanwhile, a 48-hour statewide shutdown called in protest against the killings began at Monday midnight. Roads remained largely deserted on Tuesday, while shutdown supporters took to the streets in several parts of Imphal.
Night protests were reported from Lamlong, Singjamei, Kwakeithel and Chingmeirong, among other areas, as public anger over the latest violence intensified.