Congress Chief Asks ‘Why PM Cannot Go to Manipur’, Chief Minister Responds
New Delhi:
In a pointy counter to senior Congress chief Jairam Ramesh’s query on why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not visited violence-hit Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh has requested why former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao didn’t journey to the Northeastern state through the turmoil in 1992-93.
Addressing the media on the final day of 2024, Chief Minister Singh yesterday mentioned it had been an unlucky 12 months for Manipur and hoped peace can be restored this 12 months.
“This whole 12 months has been very unlucky. I wish to apologize to the individuals of the state for what’s occurring until as we speak since final Could 3. Many individuals misplaced their family members. Many individuals left their properties. I really feel remorse. I apologise. However now, I hope after seeing the final three to 4 months progress in the direction of the peace, I consider by 2025, the normalcy will likely be restored within the state,” he mentioned.
Everybody, together with your self, is conscious that Manipur is in turmoil as we speak due to the previous sins dedicated by the Congress, such because the repeated settlement of Burmese refugees in Manipur and the signing of the SoO Settlement with Myanmar-based militants within the state, spearheaded… https://t.co/A0X9urZ7M6
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) December 31, 2024
“I wish to attraction to all of the communities within the state, no matter occurred has occurred. You need to forgive and neglect the previous errors and now we have to start out a brand new life (in the direction of) a peaceable and affluent Manipur,” the Chief Minister added.
Why cannot the Prime Minister go to Manipur and say the identical factor there? He has intentionally prevented visiting the state since Could 4th, 2023, at the same time as he jets across the nation and the world. The individuals of Manipur merely can’t perceive this neglect https://t.co/38lizNtiAy
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 31, 2024
Mr Ramesh responded with a jab, accusing the Centre of neglecting the state. “Why cannot the Prime Minister go to Manipur and say the identical factor there? He has intentionally prevented visiting the state since Could 4th, 2023, at the same time as he jets across the nation and the world. The individuals of Manipur merely can’t perceive this neglect,” the Congress chief mentioned in a publish on X.
The Chief Minister responded with a protracted publish, holding Congress answerable for the scenario in Manipur as we speak. “Everybody, together with your self, is conscious that Manipur is in turmoil as we speak due to the previous sins dedicated by the Congress, such because the repeated settlement of Burmese refugees in Manipur and the signing of the SoO Settlement with Myanmar-based militants within the state, spearheaded by @PChidambaram_IN throughout his tenure because the Residence Minister of India,” he mentioned.
Mr Singh was earlier with the Congress and switched to the BJP after disagreements with then Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.
The Chief Minister mentioned his apology was a “honest act of expressing my grief for the individuals who have been left displaced and turn out to be homeless”. “As a Chief Minister, it was an attraction to forgive and neglect what had occurred. Nevertheless, you introduced politics into it,” he mentioned.
“Let me remind you: The Naga-Kuki clashes in Manipur resulted within the deaths of roughly 1,300 individuals and the displacement of hundreds extra. The violence continued for a number of years, with periodic escalations occurring between 1992 and 1997, although essentially the most intense interval of battle was in 1992-1993.
“The clashes started in 1992 and continued at various intensities for round 5 years (1992-1997). This era marked one of many bloodiest ethnic conflicts in northeast India, deeply affecting relations between the Naga and Kuki communities in Manipur. Did Shri PV Narasimha Rao, who served because the Prime Minister of India from 1991 to 1996 and was the President of the Indian Nationwide Congress throughout this time, come to Manipur to increase an apology?,” the Chief Minister requested.
“The Kuki-Paite clashes claimed 350 lives within the state. Throughout many of the Kuki-Paite clashes (1997-1998), Shri IK Gujral was the Prime Minister of India. Did he go to Manipur and apologize to the individuals?” he added. “As an alternative of placing efforts to unravel the core points in Manipur, why is the @INCIndia taking part in politics over it on a regular basis?”
Unrest in Manipur has claimed over 180 lives since Could final 12 months, when violence erupted over the Meities group’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) standing and the tribal Kukis’ opposition to this.
