<p>Imphal: Inner Manipur Lok Sabha MP Bimol Akoijam on Sunday asserted that normalcy cannot be restored in Manipur if free movement of people is prevented in the northeastern state.</p>.<p>Akoijam was referring to restrictions imposed by some groups on visiting the Thangjing hills, a sacred site for the Meiteis.</p>.<p>“Meiteis can't go to sacred places in Thangjing hills (in Churachandpur district) and Koubru (in Kangpokpi district). This is not a communal issue but a fundamental one. It's about the fundamental rights of citizens and a matter of governance,” the MP told reporters here.</p>.Conrad Sangma's family holds grip on top five posts of NPP, ex-Manipur deputy CM replaced .<p>“Until there is free movement of people and the internally displaced persons return to their homes, normalcy will cease to exist in the state,” Akoijam said.</p>.<p>Earlier, on April 14, following the advice of community elders, a large number of Meiteis aborted plans to go to Thangjing hills in Churachandpur and returned home from Moirang in Bishnupur district, as Kuki-Zo groups staged protests warning against the pilgrims crossing the ‘buffer zone’.</p>.<p>The ‘buffer zone’, which is heavily guarded by security forces, separates the Meitei-controlled Imphal Valley and the Kuki-dominated hill districts of the restive state.</p>.<p>More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in the ethnic strife between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023.</p>.<p>Akoijam also expressed displeasure over not being allowed to speak in Parliament during the passage of the President's rule proclamation.</p>.<p>"Myself and outer Manipur MP Alfred were present… but were not allowed to speak" he claimed.</p>.<p>President’s rule in Manipur was imposed on February 13 after the then chief minister N Biren Singh resigned on February 9. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been placed under suspended animation. </p>
<p>Imphal: Inner Manipur Lok Sabha MP Bimol Akoijam on Sunday asserted that normalcy cannot be restored in Manipur if free movement of people is prevented in the northeastern state.</p>.<p>Akoijam was referring to restrictions imposed by some groups on visiting the Thangjing hills, a sacred site for the Meiteis.</p>.<p>“Meiteis can't go to sacred places in Thangjing hills (in Churachandpur district) and Koubru (in Kangpokpi district). This is not a communal issue but a fundamental one. It's about the fundamental rights of citizens and a matter of governance,” the MP told reporters here.</p>.Conrad Sangma's family holds grip on top five posts of NPP, ex-Manipur deputy CM replaced .<p>“Until there is free movement of people and the internally displaced persons return to their homes, normalcy will cease to exist in the state,” Akoijam said.</p>.<p>Earlier, on April 14, following the advice of community elders, a large number of Meiteis aborted plans to go to Thangjing hills in Churachandpur and returned home from Moirang in Bishnupur district, as Kuki-Zo groups staged protests warning against the pilgrims crossing the ‘buffer zone’.</p>.<p>The ‘buffer zone’, which is heavily guarded by security forces, separates the Meitei-controlled Imphal Valley and the Kuki-dominated hill districts of the restive state.</p>.<p>More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in the ethnic strife between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023.</p>.<p>Akoijam also expressed displeasure over not being allowed to speak in Parliament during the passage of the President's rule proclamation.</p>.<p>"Myself and outer Manipur MP Alfred were present… but were not allowed to speak" he claimed.</p>.<p>President’s rule in Manipur was imposed on February 13 after the then chief minister N Biren Singh resigned on February 9. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been placed under suspended animation. </p>