Imphal, Feb 6 (NNN): Different Muslim-based organisations in Manipur have demanded inclusion of a Muslim legislator in the present ‘popular government’ in Manipur.
At a press meet held at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal on Friday, Boboi Korimayum, president of the Manipur Federal Organisation, said that the idea of Manipur has always come before everything else. He emphasised that over the past three years, Manipuri Muslims have stood firmly with the state, actively participating in resolving every crisis, whether in defence of Manipur’s territorial integrity or in addressing any other major challenge.
The organisation further stated that denying ministerial representation to Meitei Pangal will be akin to discrimination against the indigenous people of Manipur. It pointed out the discrimination in the selection of ministers, stating that major communities such as the Kuki and Naga have already been given ministerial representation, while the continued exclusion of Manipuri Muslims has created a strong perception of neglect and discrimination by the central BJP leadership, he added.
He then pointed out that since the 11th and 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly elections, which were led by the NDA government, no Manipuri Muslim MLA has been given ministerial representation, despite the community having elected MLAs during this period. He cautioned that the NDA government’s decision would have a significant impact on the 13th Manipur Legislative Assembly elections.
It may be mentioned that All Manipur Muslim Students’ Organisation, the Manipur Meitei-Pangal Welfare Organisation and the All Manipur Muslim Organisations’ Coordinating Committee had already expressed the same view.
