'Will Go Above And Beyond To Help Them': 5-Member Trinamool Congress Delegation Visits Violence-Hit Manipur

A five-member Trinamool Congress delegation is at violence-hit Manipur to take stock of the situation in the state. TMC said it will go above and beyond to help the people.

A five-member Trinamool Congress delegation is at violence-hit Manipur.

Source : PTI

A five-member delegation from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has arrived in violence-hit Manipur today, according to Senior TMC leader Sushmita Dev. The delegation's first visit is to Churanchandpur, followed by visits to camps in Imphal. Originally scheduled to visit last week, the trip was postponed to July 19 at the request of the Manipur government. The group, led by Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien, includes Rajya Sabha MPs Dola Sen and Sushmita Dev, and Lok Sabha MPs Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Kalyan Banerjee. The delegation aims to meet with various groups and communities as the TMC alleges divisive politics is fueling the ethnic clashes.

A delegation of five MPs has reached Manipur to take stock of the situation & reach out to the people.

They will meet the affected people residing in relief camps in Churuchandpur & the Imphal valley.

People are our priority, and we shall go above and beyond to support them.

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 19, 2023

In a video statement shared on her official Twitter handle, Sushmita Dev mentioned that West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee had expressed her interest in visiting Manipur and reached out to the Home Minister in June. However, except for a brief acknowledgement, no reply was received. The five-member delegation intends to hear all sides and seek cooperation from the Manipur government, as well as an appointment with the Governor.

"We are deeply saddened to see that the Prime Minister has remained silent during this difficult time in Manipur. It is our hope, in every way, to bring back peace in Manipur," said Sushmita Dev in the video message.

The ethnic clashes in the northeastern state commenced on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Meiteis, comprising approximately 53 percent of Manipur's population, primarily reside in the Imphal Valley, while the tribal communities, Nagas, and Kukis, make up around 40 percent of the population and live in the hill districts. The ongoing violence has led to the loss of over 150 lives and numerous injuries.