Manipur denies ‘ground permission’ for launching RaGa’s Nyay Yatra in Imphal
GENERAL
Imphal: The state government has denied to issue the ‘ground permission’ for launching Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal East district scheduled on Sunday.
Upon such rejection, the grand old party has changed the venue to a private ground in Thoubal’s Khongjom area, said Manipur PCC president and senior legislator K Meghachandra Singh on Wednesday.
Meghachandra , who along with some MPCC leaders, met chief minister N Biren Singh at his office complex-cum-Bungalow on Wednesday morning, said the CM informed them that the state government could not grant the permission citing law and order situation.
In a later development, the state joint secretary (Home) has, however, written to the District Magistrate, Imphal East, informing that the launching of the Yatra may be allowed “with limited number of participants and their numbers and names may be taken in advance.”
Meghachandra, soon after meeting with Biren Singh, termed the government’s response as very unfortunate.
The Yatra will be flagged off by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharghe and is set to end on March 20 . It will cover 14 states and 85 districts.
Meghachandra, who represents Wangkham assembly constituency in Thoubal district, said the Yatra is non-political programme. and is for the public.
“As per schedule of the AICC we will organised the Yatra and it will be a grand success,” he said, while terming the denial of the ground permission as “murder of democracy and violation of the people’s rights.”
AICC general secretary Szarita Laitphlang said “we had applied for the permission on 2nd January, and till today we have not got the permission for the ground .”
Responding to an earlier letter of the DM, the joint secretary (Home) said the report of concerned agencies regarding the launching of Yatra at Hapta Kangjeibung “is sensitive and needs special attention at this juncture specially in the context of the prevailing law and order situation.”
On the same day , the state function for commemoration of Armed Forces Veterans’ Day with chief minister as chief guest will be held at Ist MR Banquet hall will all senior ministers, MLAs, high ranking civil, police and security forces.
“Therefore, District Magistrate, Imphal East may allow only flagging off the Yatra with limited number of participants. The number and names of the participants may be taken in advance, and all necessary precautionary measures may be taken. Any assistance required in controlling any untoward incidents may be sought from the State Authorities in this regard,” the joint secretary’s letter said.
Taking to ‘X’ formerly Twitter, MPCC senior spokesperson Ningombam Bupenda Meitei said “Though Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri N. Biren Singh, refused to allow us to use Hapta Kangjeibung,Palace Compound, in Imphal,for launching Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Manipur, but we will still launch & start the Yatra with the people of Manipur on 14th January,2024, in Manipur.”
On Tuesday, Biren Singh said that the decision to grant permission for using the ground in Imphal East district was under active consideration.
After receiving reports from various security agencies, the government would take a decision on it, Biren added.