Manipur MLA Joykishan Boycotts Sangai Festival Due to Apprehensions Over 'Naga Political Issue'

Imphal, November 11, 2019:

Khumukcham Joykishan, an MLA representing Thangmeiband in Manipur, has boycotted the upcoming Manipur Sangai festival organised by Manipur Tourism department, citing organizing festivals, entertainment programmes in such a "crucial hour of the state", is "illogical".

Briefing reporters at his Khoyathong residence, the MLA said that he has turned down the invitation from the Tourism department to attend the Sangai festival this year.

"In the past, tourism department never invited me to attend such festival. I am quite astonished to receive such an invitation this year", he said, adding that taking part in festival when the state stands at a "crucial juncture" is "morally unacceptable".

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The possibility of disintegrating the state by the outcome of the Indo-Naga peace talks has aroused strong apprehension and anxiety among the people that COCOMI and other civil society organisations are spearheading a strong movement in the state, besieging the state for days.

COCOMI has earlier appealed not to organize any festivals and entertainment programmes. Given the circumstance, participation in Sangai festival as a public representative will be anti-people, he said while appealing to the people of his Assembly segment to let conscience guide them.

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He lamented the present government is still reluctant to hold a special Assembly session to discuss the Indo-Naga peace talk in view of the unfolding development triggered by the Naga peace talk, despite repeated pressures from the people and different political parties. Scar of central leaders and division with the alliance government have made the Government reluctant to convene the house session, he said.

“If the government is not in a position not to hold the house session and gives a bold assurance that it will bear full responsibility for any untoward incident as fallout of the outcome of the Indo-Naga peace talk, we will remain silent on the issue without making a single word. Across party lines, we all need a concerted effort and fight to protect the state in the prevailing situation”, he said.

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Branding BJP government a liar, he said that people are fully aware of false promises of BJP. During election rallies, BJP leader Ram Madhav and Chief Minister N Biren once declared that they will not go in hand with NPF, a party with an agenda of disintegrating Manipur. However, after election, the Saffron party is still in alliance with NPF.

“I have no objection to BJP telling lies in other matters but the party should not make false promises in crucial issues like Integrity”, he cautioned.

He also said that the state has failed to see any significant development during the present BJP regime. Government has failed to deliver development except rhetoric service.

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