Congress outsider Manipur MP Alfred Arthur Kangam on Saturday questioned the government’s handling of the situation in the northeastern state and sought to know from Prime Minister Narendra Modi “why he is not accountable to the people of the state till date”.
During the debate on the Constitution in the LS, he said, “On May 3, 2023, I don’t need to remind this House or this nation what happened in Manipur. What is happening in the last 19 months. Last time I spoke in this House, the citizens of this nation and their contribution to this nation building I had clearly said that it is my right to seek justice as I come from a family that delivers.
Why has my Prime Minister – whom this nation trusts and I want to trust – not been accountable to the people of Manipur till date? Is that too much to ask?”
“Those children, the women of the community have lost their lives. Can’t they suffer for reasons that this nation or state cannot handle? Is my country so weak? You cannot protect the lives and property of citizens in Manipur,” he said, adding that “this is not a war against any party – whether it is the fund or the opposition” and “it was a war against humanity”.
Asking the members of the Treasury Bench to stand up for the people of Manipur and get them justice, he said, “Please stand up, talk to your people. How difficult it is for a nation that is about to become the third largest economy. You only talk about the economy. What will the economy do when there are no people? I question the sanity of the leadership of this House and this nation. Stand up, stand with your brothers and sisters in Manipur and bring justice. And be accountable for all actions.”
Meanwhile, Manipur Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoizam walked out of the LS just before the Prime Minister’s speech as a protest against “his response, or rather lack of response, to the Manipur crisis”.
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