Final sitting of the Committee on Privileges & Ethics of Manipur Legislative Assembly for preparation of report on Human Rights Activist Babloo Loitongbam’s remark ‘Mithibong Mitambal’, which is scheduled to hold today, has been postponed for reason not known to media persons.
“Committee meeting has been postponed until further notice”, said Deputy Speaker, M.K. Preshow, while speaking to Imphal Times through phone. When asked on when to submit the report, the deputy speaker, who is also the chairman of the committee said that a report will be presented to the house soon either in this session or the next session. The ongoing state Assembly session which begins on February 25 will hold sitting till March 3. And with the reply of the Deputy Speaker, it is likely that the committee is not in the position to submit report during this ongoing session.
Another source close to Imphal Times said that the committee’s sitting has been postponed as only one members attended. It further added that some of the committee members are now reluctant to give any comment regarding the issue as giving comment has tendency to affect their election campaign. This source is presumptive as Babloo’s remark on IMPACT TV at which the committee is looking after is about the inaction of the elected representatives on the public agitation for introduction of Inner Line Permit System. This source also added that the members of the privilege committee had never expected Babloo to decline apology to the committee. Had Babloo apologized the matter it would have been taken lightly but as Babloo stands with his word the members of the committee are now reluctant to proceed further.
When Imphal Times asked for comment to some of the political scientists regarding the development in Babloo Loitongbam’s issue some said that Babloo appeared to be right in using the ‘term’ as they are showing it even today.
