TMC accuses BJP of stalling Parliament, demands PM open debate on Manipur either in RS or LS
New Delhi (PTI): TMC MP Derek O'Brien has alleged that the BJP was stalling Parliament proceedings and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi open the debate on the Manipur issue either in Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha.
Proceedings in both the Houses of Parliament have been paralysed since the Monsoon session began on July 20 due to protests by opposition parties over the situation in ethnic violence-hit Manipur and a May 4 video of two women being paraded naked in the state.
"It is the BJP that is stalling #Parliament. Let's start the discussion on Manipur on Monday morning at 11 am sharp. Let the PM decide where he wishes to OPEN THE DISCUSSION. His choice. Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. Of course we will then all participate," said O'Brien, the TMC's parliamentary leader in Rajya Sabha, tweeted.
While opposition parties have been demanding that the prime minister speak in Parliament on the issue, the government has assured them that a discussion on it will be initiated.
On Friday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Lok Sabha that the government was ready for a discussion on the matter. Opposition members demanded that Prime Minister Modi make a statement followed by a debate.
The BJP on Thursday had charged that even though the government was ready for a discussion on Manipur, the opposition disrupted Parliament proceedings and did not allow the debate to take place.
Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after the May 4 video surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a group of men from the other side.
Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident, official sources in Imphal have said, as the 26-second video capturing the ordeal of the two tribal women a day after ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern state on May 3 stoked a nationwide outrage.
Before the start of the Monsoon session on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi, while addressing reporters at the Parliament Complex, had said the incident has shamed 140 crore Indians, asserting that law will act with its full might and no guilty will be spared.
He requested all chief ministers to further strengthen law and order mechanism in their respective states, especially to protect women and to take most stringent action.
Modi also mentioned states such as Congress-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh while calling for boosting law and order, and protecting women. "I want to assure the people of the country that no guilty will be spared. What has happened to these daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven," he said.
"My heart is full of pain and anger," Modi told reporters amid his criticism by opposition parties for not speaking on the ethnic violence in the northeastern state.
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India describes attack on Fujairah 'unacceptable'
New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday described the wounding of three Indians in an attack on the United Arab Emirates' port city of Fujairah as "unacceptable" and pressed for an immediate cessation of hostilities targeting innocent civilians.
New Delhi's reaction came a day after the Indians were injured after a drone attack caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in Fujairah. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.
"The attack on Fujairah that resulted in injury to three Indian nationals is unacceptable," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians," the spokesperson said.
Jaiswal said India continued to stand for dialogue and diplomacy to deal with the situation so that peace and stability could be restored across West Asia.
"We also call for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law. India stands ready to support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of issues," he said.
The attack on Fujairah city came as the ceasefire between the US and Iran came under strain in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas pass, remains a major sticking point in the talks. Shipping through the narrow Gulf waterway has been severely disrupted by the conflict, triggering a sharp increase in oil prices and energy shortages in several countries.
The UAE's defence ministry on Monday said its air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran.
The ministry affirmed that it "remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country."
