Amarendra Dhari Singh, a Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) lawmaker, gave a suspension of business notice in the Rajya Sabha on Monday so that the Manipur situation may be discussed. The RJD MP highlighted in his notice that the House should consider the present Manipur problem because its effects are extending to other Northeastern states.

In accordance with Rule 267 of the Council of States’ Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, the notice stated, “I hereby give notice of my intention to move the following motion for suspension of Business listed on Monday, July 31, 2023.”

“That in pursuance of Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Rajya Sabha, this House do suspend the Business of the House to take up the discussion on the situation arising out of the uninterrupted ethnic violence in the State of Manipur which is spreading in other States of the North East,” it added.

After assessing the situation in the conflict-torn state, the 21-member multi-party delegation of opposition MPs from the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.) returned to the capital. On Monday, the delegation will gather in Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s chamber in Parliament to receive an update on the situation in the northeastern state.

The opposition MPs met with victims of interethnic violence on the first day of their two-day whirlwind tour, which included stops at multiple relief camps in Churachandpur, Moirang in Bishnupur district, and Imphal.

Leaders met with Governor Anusuiya Uikey of Manipur on Sunday at Raj Bhawan and sent her a message asking her to take all necessary steps to restore peace and harmony, with justice serving as the cornerstone.

“In order to bring peace and harmony, rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected persons is most urgent. You are also requested to apprise the Union Government of the complete breakdown of law and order in Manipur for the last 89 days so as to enable them to intervene in the precarious situation in Manipur to restore peace and normalcy,” the memorandum reads.

The leaders returned to the national capital on Sunday vowing to take the matter further in the Parliament from Monday.

Most MPs who were part of the delegation had a similar complaint — “the pathetic condition of the relief camps” where those hit by the violence across the states are living currently. The ruckus and war of words between the Treasury and Opposition benches over the prevailing situation in violence-hit Manipur may stall proceedings in both Houses of the Parliament, as they reconvene for the eighth day of the ongoing Monsoon Session on Monday.

Members of the grand Opposition alliance, I.N.D.I.A, have been adamant on the demand that all listed businesses in both Houses be set aside for a discussion on the Manipur situation.

The Opposition parties have been pressing for their demand since the beginning of the monsoon session of Parliament on July 20. The government has said that it is ready for debate on the issue but the opposition has insisted on a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in both the Houses of the Parliament.