Imphal: Inner Manipur MP Akoijam Bimol Angomcha alleged that he was prevented by central forces from visiting a village located in the periphery of Imphal Valley on the evening of June 29, despite a heavy presence of security personnel, including the Indian Army.
In response, he accused the state of “establishing and nurturing an imaginary and unconstitutional line, the so-called ‘buffer zone’, in support of communal forces”.
The Congress MP said he wanted to visit Phougakchou Ikhai, a peripheral area along the border of Meitei-dominated Bishnupur district and Kuki-dominated Churachandpur, as it falls under his constituency.
“I, an elected Member of Lok Sabha, was stopped from visiting Phougakchou-Ikhai Makha Leikai Keithel (Bazar) in Bishnupur district, which falls within my parliamentary constituency (Inner Manipur) today, despite the heavy presence of security forces, including the Indian Army, in the area guarding the place,” the MP said in a post on X.
“Tellingly, civilians belonging to other communities (such as Pangals) are allowed to travel through the same place right in front of me, a Member of Parliament of the largest democracy in the world!” he added.
“It speaks of the clandestine ways through which the state has been nurturing a communally founded division of Manipur, and drawing up and enforcing an imaginary and unconstitutional line, the so-called ‘buffer zone’, in support of communal forces in the state,” the Congress MP said.
Honest and determined efforts will solve the issue, not lies and a cynical approach. Let truth, justice and peace prevail, Akoijam added.
Phougakchao Ikhai, which was one of the first areas in Manipur to have been affected by ethnic violence which broke out on May 3, 2023, is now heavily guarded by security forces.
