Cong MP Akoijam files RTI, seeks clarity on ‘buffer zones’ in Manipur

Imphal: Congress MP from Inner Manipur constituency Angomcha Bimol Akoijam on Thursday filed a Right to Information (RTI) application with the ministry of home affairs, seeking clarity on the existence, legal basis and official notifications related to any ‘buffer zones’ in Manipur.The MP sought information on whether any ‘buffer zones’ have been declared that segregate or restrict the free movement of citizens. The application also sought copies of notifications, if any, declaring such ‘buffer zones’, along with details of the legal provisions, laws and executive orders under which they were notified.Responding to media queries on the sidelines of a programme in Imphal, the MP said the move was prompted by a first-hand verification on the ground after repeated denials about the existence of buffer zones. “I went there myself and found that people were being stopped. Ordinary citizens are restricted, and even elected members are not allowed to move. This is an empirical fact,” he said. He questioned under what provision of law and whose executive authority such restrictions have been imposed, arguing that the measures violate citizens’ fundamental rights under Article 19 of the Constitution.Raising concerns about the ongoing crisis in the state, he pointed out the apparent contradiction between security deployment and the scale of displacement and violence.He further questioned how firing incidents continue despite such deployment and why residential colonies in Churachandpur were flattened even after the initial phase of violence, when the situation was claimed to be under control in certain towns.“Before going into Kuki, Meitei, or any community narrative, these basic questions must be answered,” he said.