Members of the youth wing of India's Congress party shout slogans during a protest near Parliament House in New Delhi, India, July 20, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)
NEW DELHI – Both houses of the Indian parliament were adjourned for Thursday following protests from opposition lawmakers demanding discussion on the strife-torn northeastern state of Manipur, officials said.
On the first day of the monsoon session, both houses of parliament witnessed protests from opposition members, who demanded the prime minister's statement on the situation in Manipur.
The northeastern state of Manipur has been on edge since May 3 when large-scale violence broke out during a tribal protest over the inclusion of the non-tribal Meiteis community for a scheduled tribe status, which is designated for disadvantaged socio-economic groups, giving them reservations in education and government jobs
While the opposition alleged government was trying to avoid discussion on Manipur, the government said the opposition was deliberately creating hurdles for parliament to function.
Manipur shot into the spotlight Wednesday afresh and evoked condemnation following the circulation of a video of two women from the state being sexually abused.
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"What has happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven. The incident is shameful for the country. The guilty will not be spared," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his remarks before the start of the monsoon session of the Indian parliament, which will run until Aug 11.
The northeastern state of Manipur has been on edge since May 3 when large-scale violence broke out during a tribal protest over the inclusion of the non-tribal Meiteis community for a scheduled tribe status, which is designated for disadvantaged socio-economic groups, giving them reservations in education and government jobs.
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The violence has killed 142 people, injured over 3,000 and displaced 60,000 others.
The mobs in the state have been resorting to vandalism and arson, during which hundreds of houses and shops were gutted.