After a dispute arose between the Congress and the Manipur Government over the initial denial of permission for a venue where the grand old party’s “Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra” was scheduled to begin on January 14, the N Biren Singh Government on Wednesday approved the venue for the flagging off but with a condition.
In response to protests by the Congress over the last two days, the Manipur Government granted approval for the flagging off of the proposed January 14 Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, albeit “with a limited number of participants”. This approval came eight days after the Congress approached the government to request the flagging off of the yatra from Hapta Kangjeibung ground.
Only the flagging off of the Yatra with a limited number of participants is hereby allowed on January 14 to prevent any untoward incidents and disturbances in law and order. The number and names of the participants shall be provided in advance to this office to enable the necessary precautionary measures to be taken,” the order issued by the Imphal East district magistrate’s office said.
The order says the Imphal East district superintendent of police has submitted a report stating that a huge crowd is expected during the opening ceremony of the tatra at the venue. In view of the prevailing law and order situation in the state, the large gathering may create problems with law and order.
“Moreover, prohibition under Section 144 Cr PC is also in force in Imphal East district,” it added.
The Congress has described the state government’s decision to deny permission for the launch of the yatra as a ‘violation of people’s rights.’ During a press conference at the AICC headquarters in the national capital earlier in the day, Congress general secretaries Jairam Ramesh and K C Venugopal unveiled a pamphlet and a website dedicated to the yatra. Venugopal stated that the Manipur government has declined permission to commence the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Imphal’s Palace grounds.
He emphasised that the Congress is determined to start the yatra from Manipur and mentioned that the party has requested permission to initiate the march from another location in Imphal.
A Congress delegation met N Biren Singh at the CM Secretariat in Imphal. The MPCC’s comments came a day after the chief minister stated that granting permission for Congress’ ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ was under ‘active consideration,’ and a decision would be made after receiving reports from security agencies.
The ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ is scheduled to traverse 6,713 km in buses and on foot. It will cover 110 districts, 100 Lok Sabha seats and 337 assembly segments in 66 days. According to the proposed programme, it will culminate on March 20 in Mumbai. Rahul had earlier led a 3500 kms padyatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir under his Bharat Jodo Yatra programme from September 2022 to January 2023 which saw participation of people from different walks of life.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi and many others from different parts of the country are scheduled to visit the state for the programme.
Manipur has been rocked by ethnic violence since May last year and over 180 people were killed. The violence erupted on May 3 after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mainly in the hill districts.
