Manipur MLA slams Biren Singh for denying permission to hold 'Bharat Nyaya Yatra', says murder of democracy

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president and senior Congress MLA K Meghachandra, who along with a team of party leaders, met Chief Minister N Biren Singh at his office complex-cum- Bungalow on Wednesday morning, said the Chief Minister informed them that his government could not give the permission, citing law and order situation in the state.

Meghachandra, who termed the government’s response as "very unfortunate" nevertheless, said following the declination, they have changed the venue to a private place at Khongjom in the Thoubal district.

"We met Manipur CM N Biren Singh in connection with the permission of the venue to organize Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra. But CM has declined to give permission at Hatta Kangjeibung in Imphal East district. It is very unfortunate that the government has declined the permission. The government declining the venue ground 
which is a public place is surprising. It is really murder of democracy. It is violation of people's right as well as political rights of the people of India, more particularly the people of Manipur", said Manipur Pradesh Congress Commitee president Keisham Meghachandra while talking to the media. 

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharghe will flag off the yatra, covering 14 states and 85 districts. In the rally, there will be foot march and bus rides.

Manipur government on January 10 denied ground permission to Congress to hold "Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra" in Imphal citing law and order situation in the state. 

Reacting on the government's decision, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said, "...We got information that the Government of Manipur declined (our request) to hold the yatra in Palace Ground, Imphal...When we are starting a yatra from East to West, how can we avoid Manipur? Then what message we are giving to the people of the country? We need to start the yatra from Manipur only. We are now going to start Yatra in Manipur from another location. Details will be announced later...".

Also read: Congress's 'Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra' to begin from new venue in Manipur: KC Venugopal