In a startling revelation, Inner Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam alleges his parliamentary questions on the Suspension of Operation Agreement with Kuki armed groups were mysteriously removed. Speaker Om Birla promises to investigate.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, March 13, 2025
A political controversy has emerged in Parliament after Inner Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam raised concerns over the unexplained removal of his questions from the Lok Sabha’s Starred Questions list. The Congress MP took to social media to highlight what he described as a serious violation of his parliamentary privileges.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Akoijam stated that his name had originally appeared as the 16th entry in the ballot for Starred Questions scheduled for March 11, 2025. However, when the final list was released, his name was missing, and his questions were excluded without explanation.
“My questions do not fall under any of the rules or concerns on the admissibility of questions,” Akoijam wrote. “This is undoubtedly a serious infringement on my rights and privileges as an elected Member of Parliament. It undermines my constitutionally mandated duty and responsibility of exercising legislative oversight.”
Met the Hon’ble Speaker and the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs today and appraised them of an unusual episode:
My name was listed (16th in the list) in the ballot for Starred Questions scheduled for 11 March, 2025. However, when the list of the Starred Questions for the said… pic.twitter.com/GaOSwWTgeB
— A. Bimol Akoijam (@Bimol_Akoijam) March 12, 2025
The MP further revealed that he had written to the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha on March 6, seeking clarification on the issue but had received no response. Frustrated by the silence, he raised the matter during Zero Hour on March 12 and later met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. According to Akoijam, the Speaker acknowledged the issue and assured him that his office would take the necessary steps next week.
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Questions on Insurgent Rehabilitation and Manipur Crisis
The missing questions, which Akoijam intended to raise in Parliament, were focused on the rehabilitation of insurgent groups in the Northeast and the status of agreements signed with these armed groups. His inquiries sought details on:
- The number of agreements signed with insurgent groups across Northeast states, state-wise;
- The specifics of these agreements, including extension dates;
- The financial benefits provided to the members of these groups and the total expenditure incurred on each group;
- Additional government initiatives for the rehabilitation of these groups;
- The success or failure of government efforts in disarming insurgents and reintegrating them into society.
The questions were particularly significant given the ongoing unrest in Manipur, where the Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement with Kuki armed groups has been a contentious issue. Answers to these questions could have provided clarity on the status of peace negotiations and the government’s approach to resolving insurgency-related challenges in the region.
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Concerns Over Parliamentary Transparency
The unexplained omission of Akoijam’s questions has sparked concerns over procedural transparency in Parliament. Opposition leaders have called for an investigation into the matter, questioning whether political considerations played a role in censoring the MP’s inquiries.
As the Lok Sabha Speaker’s office prepares to address the issue next week, all eyes remain on the government’s response to what some are calling an unprecedented suppression of parliamentary oversight.
