Amid din, RS approves extension of President’s Rule in Manipur

In Rajya Sabha, when the proceedings resumed after earlier adjournments at 2 pm, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai moved the resolution approving President’s Rule in Manipur for another six months beyond August 13 even as Opposition members continued to call for a discussion on the SIR.

Deputy Chairman Harivansh said it was a “Constitutional obligation” to pass the resolution. He then asked YSRCP member Subhash Chandra Bose Pilli to speak on the resolution. Opposition MPs however started raising slogans against the SIR.

BJD MP from Odisha Muzibulla Khan said, “When Manipur law and order situation was bad, Article 356 was imposed. Today, the situation of law and order in Odisha is bad…” “Double engine government in Manipur failed…. Has the situation improved after so many months of President’s Rule or not? Minister should inform us…,” he said.

Rai said a rift was formed between two communities in Manipur due to a court order. “A rift was created between two communities in Manipur due to an order of the High Court related to a dispute on reservations. Those who say it is religious violence are wrong…” Rai said.

Rai also said Home Minister Amit Shah had undertaken a tour of violence- affected areas in Manipur. “He (Shah) met high level officials, security forces, civil society members…” Rai said, adding that the northeast has witnessed widespread development under the Narendra Modi-led government. He also said since the President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur, only one incident of violence has been reported.

The resolution was passed by voice vote. The House was then adjourned for the day.