March 11, 2025
Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee’s speech during the Discussion and Voting on Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2024-25 and the General Discussion on the Budget for the State of Manipur for 2025-26
Madam, the Budget regarding Manipur should have been discussed about 20 months ago. We went to Manipur one year six months back and we came back to the House. We had said at that point of time that the condition of Manipur was such that Article 356 should have been imposed. … But at that time, Article 356 was not imposed. Now, Article 356 has been imposed. … As a result thereof, how many persons have died in Manipur? It is also reported that over 5,000 persons are injured and 32 persons are missing. Madam, 4,786 houses have been burnt and 386 religious structures have been vandalised, including temples and churches. … The violence in Manipur has divided the communities into two, with Meiteis inhabiting the Imphal valley and the Kukis living in the surrounding hill areas. Out of 243 violent incidents reported in the North-East States in 2023, 187 violent incidents were reported in Manipur. Manipur has suffered more than any State due to the recent inflation and economic woes in the country, and there was no action from the Centre for the restoration of peace and for a dialogue to help the displaced returntotheir homes. They are talking about the development of the North-East. But has the hon. Prime Minister gone to Manipur? This Manipur situation should not have been arisen. We have repeatedly said that the hon. Prime Minister should go to Manipur and visualise the position, but unfortunately, five minutes’ time has not been allocated by the hon. Prime Minister to go to Manipur itself. ैडम, मझुेबोलनेका थोड़ा टाइम दीतजए। आप ऐसा क्यों कर रही हैं। Now, in such a situation, how much money has been allocated to Manipur? About Rs. 15 crore have been provided for temporary shelter; Rs. 35 crore have been provided towards housing and displaced people; Rs. 100 crore have been provided for relief operations; and Rs. 7 crore have been provided for compensation. It is such a little amount. How can it help the people of Manipur to develop? How will Manipur be developed with this little amount itself? … Madam, as regards the population of Manipur, who are mostly affected in Manipur? The percentage of Scheduled Tribe population in Manipur is 40.9. The percentage of Scheduled Caste population in Manipur is 3.41. The Meitei population constitutes 41.39 per cent of the total population in Manipur. The Muslims constitute 41.29 per cent of the population in Manipur. Kuki-Chin-Mizo population in Manipur is 8.40 per cent. And other religions constitute 8.19 per cent. Why violence happened there? Who has suffered? The Scheduled Tribe people have suffered. The Scheduled Caste people have suffered. Poor people have suffered. … Thousands and thousands of women have been raped in Manipur. Manipur has not got any justice from the hon. Prime Minister. Manipur needs justice. Justice has to be given to Manipur. Article 356 should not have been imposed in Manipur. And elections should be held immediately in Manipur. …
