Congress MP from Outer Manipur, Alfred K. Arthur, sharply criticized the BJP-led central government on Saturday, accusing it of neglecting the plight of the people in Manipur and the Northeast. Speaking during a two-day Lok Sabha debate on the “Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India,” Arthur demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the government’s failure to protect civilians in Manipur and address the 2021 Oting tragedy in Nagaland.
Arthur highlighted the violence that erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, and has persisted for over 19 months. “Why is it that my prime minister, someone this nation believes in, has not addressed the people of Manipur? Is it too much to ask for justice when women, children, and communities have suffered irreparably?” he asked. The MP questioned whether the nation was too weak to safeguard its own citizens, urging treasury bench members to stand for justice.
The Congress leader also reflected on historical oversights, pointing out that during the adoption of the Constitution in 1950, the Northeast’s concerns were largely ignored. He credited later amendments, such as Article 371(A) for Nagaland and Article 371(C) for Manipur, for attempting to address the region’s unique challenges. However, he stressed that the country’s pluralism and diversity must be more than symbolic, calling for true inclusivity in governance.
Arthur also condemned the killings of 14 civilians in Oting, Nagaland, on December 4, 2021, by armed forces. He argued that economic distress, exacerbated by budget cuts to MNREGA, had driven victims to work in coal mines, ultimately leading to their deaths. “Did this House not stand up to condemn these killings? Was appointing a Rajya Sabha MP from Oting enough to console the families of the victims?” he questioned.
Expressing his disappointment, Arthur noted that no formal acknowledgment or apology had come from the Union Defence Minister. “I expected the minister to take responsibility and mourn with the nation. That acknowledgment is still missing,” he lamented.
Arthur’s impassioned plea in Parliament underscored the long-standing grievances of the Northeast and the urgent need for accountability and justice from the central government.
