A delegation of Opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc met President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday to discuss the Manipur situation.
Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury submitted a memorandum signed by all representatives to Murmu, in the presence of other opposition leaders including Sharad Pawar, Farooq Abdullah, Kanimozhi and Sanjay Raut among others. The delegation also included MPs who visited the violence-hit state on July 29-30.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge discussed the situation in Parliament as the opposition continues to demand a detailed statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the violence.
Addressing a press conference after meeting President Murmu, Kharge said that the INDIA delegation's main demand was for Modi to visit the northeastern state. “We briefed the president, especially on atrocities against women, rehabilitation and other conditions in Manipur,” he added.
The delegation requested the president's intervention to restore normalcy in Manipur which has been witnessing “a complete breakdown of law and order”. Referring to the viral video of women being paraded naked in Manipur, the INDIA delegation stressed that the state administration has failed to address the issue promptly. “It has come to light that the said incident is only one of the several cases of atrocities against women,” the delegation stated.
The opposition bloc also stated that nominating two Manipuri women to Rajya Sabha will help rectify 'grievous harm' inflicted on women of the state.
Parliament proceedings have been disrupted due to protests on the issue of the violence in Manipur since the Monsoon session began on July 20. On Wednesday, too, Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm as opposition members continued with their protests on the Manipur issue.
Opposition leaders walked out from the Rajya Sabha after the Chair did not admit their notices for suspension of the listed business and take up discussion on the Manipur issue.
The Lok Sabha will debate the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition from August 8 and Modi is likely to reply to the debate on August 10. The opposition leaders have been citing Lok Sabha precedence and rules that the no-confidence motion be taken up first after setting aside all other government business.
- with PTI inputs