'Here to represent people of Manipur': Opposition delegation after reaching Imphal

Imphal (Manipur): A 21-member delegation from the Opposition grand alliance — I.N.D.I.A — on Saturday arrived in Imphal as part of a two-day visit to violence-hit Manipur.

After setting foot in the state, the Opposition leaders said the purpose of their visit was to "represent the demands of the people".

Speaking to ANI after arriving at Imphal airport, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, who had earlier filed a motion of confidence against the Centre in the Lok Sabha, over the Manipur situation, said, "We want the people to be heard. We are going to convey their demand in Parliament. We have come to represent the people of Manipur and their concerns."

Fellow Congress MP from the Lower House, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, told ANI, "We will put forward several demands to the Manipur Governor. However, we want to conduct a public survey and also hold discussions among ourselves before taking any call (on the demands)."

Welcoming the delegation, former Manipur CM and Congress leader, Okram Ibobi Singh, said they will hold discussions on the demand for the resignation of his successor, N Biren Singh, for failing to rein in the violence in the state.

"We are extremely happy that this delegation of Opposition leaders has reached Manipur. They should visit the relief camps and meet people, who have been away from their homes for almost 3 months now. They should inform the (central) government about the situation on the ground so that normalcy could be restored at the earliest. We will also discuss the demand for the resignation of the Manipur CM."

As per the itinerary, from the Imphal airport, the delegation will head towards the Churachandpur district, which has been the epicentre of the ethnic clashes that erupted on May 3.

(ANI)