Concerned over the law and order situation in poll-bound Manipur, the Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress Committee has said that establishment of "rule of law" is the foremost necessity for holding free and fair elections scheduled on 4 and 8 March.
Senior Vice-President Inaocha Singh said that the party is of the view that the impasse over the economic blockade "is very unfortunate" and "both BJP and Congress are trying to gain political mileage out of it".
Inaocha said both the parties were responsibility for the hardship faced by the people. "The time has come to teach a lesson to the two political parties,” he added..
The TMC leader highlighted the 30 January killing of two labourers as an instance of the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, particularly in the hill areas.
Referring to the three-month-long economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) along the state’s key highway, Singh said the TMC is of the view that “imposition of President’s rule is the best option” to resolve the crisis.
Speaking about the 3 February tripartite talks, Inaocha said the dialogue "will not likely to be effective" as the demands of the UNC goes against the interests of other ethnic communities.
However, he said, he appreciates “all efforts to establish peace irrespective of ethnicity” but added that the result should be acceptable to all stakeholders.
The Trinamool Congress recently received a setback after its former state president Kim Gangte left the party and joined the BJP last month.
Inaocha said that TMC observer Samrat Tapadar had recently visited the state to hand over a formal letter naming T Robindro as President of the Trinamool Congress in Manipur.
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