MP terms buffer zones as illegal

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 7 : Lok Sabha MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, on Tuesday, visited Saiton village in Bishnupur district, which was recently rocked by a series of bomb explosions that left two civilians injured.
The IED explosions took place near an abandoned Meitei home along the inter-district border.
‘At the illegal buffer zone at the village, the MP, however, was stopped by Central forces from proceeding further,’ said a statement issued by the  MP office.
Condemning the situation as an unprecedented and unconstitutional restriction within Indian territory, he emphasised that the buffer zone effectively created an illegal boundary within the State.
The Government is working against the Constitution, Bimol said, describing the creation of buffer zones as a move that divides Manipur like India and Pakistan.
He further highlighted that such a restriction on a Parliamentarian had not been seen in other parts of the country.
Standing at the so-called buffer zone, Bimol questioned the Central security forces deployed in the area why he was being restricted.
However, the security personnel did not respond.
He said that a vested interest political party is using professional soldiers to engage in what he described as an illegal action, restricting the movement of an MP within the State.
Terms like buffer zones are used in international conflicts, not within a State, he emphasised and stated that the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister are responsible for the situation in Manipur.
The MP cautioned that the imposition of these buffer zones would only deepen public mistrust, institutionalize division, rather than fostering peace.
"This is where the border of India begins, India with Kuki... I cannot go to this side because this is the India-Kuki border," he stated at the location.
He continued that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are directly accountable for the unconstitutional division.
"Mr Amit Shah, you must understand this... Modi ji should also understand... You're dividing my own home State by putting up this illegal buffer zone," the MP asserted.
He reiterated that security forces under President's  Rule blocking even Parliament members is a travesty absent in other Indian riot zones.