Imphal: A day after Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi left Imphal, the capital of violence-hit Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced that the government, under the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has initiated peace talks between stakeholders to bring peace and normalcy to Manipur as soon as possible. He said there is no question of whether the Prime Minister visits Manipur or not because necessary security and relief measures are being taken under his initiative.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the two-day extended state executive meeting of BJP Manipur Pradesh, which began yesterday at BJP Manipur Headquarters, Thambal Shanglen at Nityaipat Chuthek in Imphal on Wednesday, N. Biren Singh stated that the party meeting addressed the current crisis in the state, passing resolutions to expedite peace talks, implement concrete measures for a lasting solution, and provide aid to recent flood victims. He emphasized that the government is making all-out efforts to end the Manipur crisis and relief measures are continuing to help displaced victims in relief camps by forming sub-committees under the committee already formed to monitor relief measures.
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N. Biren Singh noted that the meeting was delayed due to the state’s dire situation. During the meeting, BJP Manipur congratulated Narendra Modi on his third term as Prime Minister of India and also expressed solidarity with the victims of violence, he added. The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghawal, North East Region Coordinator Sambit Patra, BJP Manipur In-charge Ajeet Gopchade, BJP MLAs, ministers, BJP Manipur Pradesh President A. Sharda, and other party leaders and workers.
It may be noted that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently visited violence-hit Manipur, marking his third visit since the outbreak of violence last year. During his visit, he met with displaced people from both communities in conflict, leaders of various civil society organizations, and political leaders. He had emphasized that his visit aimed to assess the situation and offer support to the affected communities.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not visited Manipur even once since the outbreak of the crisis in the state, although he has spent two days in the neighboring state of Assam ahead of the last Lok Sabha elections. Opposition parties and the general public of Manipur have expressed discontentment over the lack of the PM’s visit to the violence-torn state.
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