Ibobi Slams Modi, Shah Over Governor’s Detour

Imphal, May 28: Former Chief Minister of Manipur, O. Ibobi Singh has strongly criticised Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, saying they should be “ashamed” of the security failure that forced the Manipur Governor to change his travel route due to protests.

Ibobi made the remarks on Tuesday during the 61st death anniversary observance of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru at the Manipur Congress office on BT Road, Imphal.

Ibobi, who is also the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, said Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had to take a 6-kilometre detour to avoid protestors. He called it a clear sign of poor law and order in the state.

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He warned that if the Governor does not apologise to the public, he would consider filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) or a Right to Information (RTI) request to hold those responsible accountable.

The former Chief Minister also demanded that the Governor, the Security Advisor, the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police (DGP) apologise to the people of Manipur. He said their failure to manage the situation shows “a complete failure of governance.”

“This is a total failure of the Government of India, especially the Ministry of Home Affairs,” Ibobi said. “The Governor, as the constitutional head of the state, is acting on behalf of the President of India.”

He then pointed out that the Governor could not even travel the short 7-kilometre road from Imphal Airport to Raj Bhawan due to the protests and had to be airlifted, which he said shows just how bad the situation has become.

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It can be mentioned here that Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla was flown in an Indian Army helicopter on Monday to avoid mass protests on his return journey from Bir Tikendrajit  Airport to Raj Bhawan, a distance of just about 6 km.

(Newmai News Network)