During the 5th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, opposition Congress MLAs put forth a proposal to dedicate a day for discussing the ongoing unrest, seeking to amend the report of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC). Congress MLAs Kangujam Ranjit, Keisham Meghachandra Singh, and Th Lokeshwar Singh raised the motion to amend the BAC report under Rule 269 of the Rule of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. Despite their attempts to elaborate on the current crisis during the session, particularly at the time of the BAC report presentation, Speaker Th Satyabrata Singh controlled the situation, assuring them that there would be time for discussion in the upcoming days of the session. Chief Minister N Biren Singh also responded, stating that the BAC report had been formulated after due consultation with members, and discussions on the present unrest would be accommodated in the subsequent days of the ongoing session.
Following the session, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee President Keisham Meghachandra Singh addressed the media, expressing disappointment at the rejection of their proposal. He emphasized the urgency of addressing the present crisis, which has persisted for nearly ten days with ongoing violence. Meghachandra alleged that the ruling party’s rejection demonstrated a disregard for opposition voices. Responding to queries, Meghachandra noted the absence of 10 Kuki MLAs (comprising 8 MLAs and 2 ministers) during the session, questioning whether they had taken leave. He highlighted the necessity of their presence, given their role in the current unrest, and emphasized the importance of the participation of all ministers and MLAs in passing supplementary demands for grants and budgets.
Congress MLA K Ranjit echoed similar sentiments, attributing significant societal impact and irreparable losses to the present crisis. He placed responsibility for the crisis on the 10 Kuki MLAs who had advocated for separate administration, emphasizing the public demand for a special session to address the situation. Ranjit lamented the government’s focus on routine proceedings without adequate attention to the pressing issues at hand.