Biren, Shah confused, baffling people: Meghachandra
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 17 2024: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghachandra has accused leaders of the BJP double-engine government, particularly chief minister N Biren Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of frequently issuing contradictory statements on the raging violence and creating confusion among the people of Manipur.

He raised concerns about how Amit Shah and N Biren Singh could devise effective strategies to resolve the ongoing crisis and restore peace in Manipur when they themselves are in a state of confusion.

The state's Congress chief criticised both leaders of the BJP's "double engine government" for their inability to present a unified stance on the violence.

Addressing media persons at Congress Bhawan, here, Tuesday, K Meghachandra said both Biren and Amit Shah have repeatedly made contradictory statements since outbreak of the violence with their contradictions stalling efforts to restore peace.

In the initial phase of the violence, Amit Shah had informed the Parliament that the violence erupted after a ruling of the Ma-nipur high court on the demand for ST status of Meetei/Meitei community.

Amit Shah further informed the Parliament during the time that the violence was caused by illegal immigrants, he related.

"Contrary to what he had claimed in the Parliament, Amit Shah now terms the crisis as an ethnic clash between two communities," Meghachandra noted referring to a recent television interview.

According to Meghachandra, leader of the state CM Bi-ren Singh continues to make contradictory statements since the beginning of the violence.

Earlier, CM Biren blamed illegal immigrants for the violence and later cited failure of law & order and intelligence department.

Contradicting his earlier statements, CM Biren claimed in a public event held on Monday that he has not received report from intelligence unit of state home department for the past 15 months.

The CM Biren also mentioned in his speech that some agencies provided false information to the Centre.

If this happens to be true, the CM should identify the agencies clearly or else his remark would be considered baseless and irresponsible, Meghachandra said and demanded clarity on the CM's allegation.

Terming as unfortunate contradictory statements made by both CM Biren and Union home minister Amit Shah on the violence, the MPCC president continued that Amit Shah's terming of the crisis as ethnic clash totally contradicted CM Biren's statement.

"Contradictory statements of the leaders of the double engine government indicate their lack of clarity on the violence," Meghachandra maintained and wondered how such leaders could take steps to bring back peace.

He also noted that there are clear signs of the Centre not according importance to resolving the crisis in Manipur with central leaders issuing contradictory statements from time to time.

K Meghachandra also opined that CM Biren's claim about intelligence department not coordinating with him for 15 months despite holding home portfolio indicates that the Centre has seized power from him.

"The thoughtless statement of CM Biren has confused the entire people of Manipur," Meghachandra reiterated, adding that the present lawlessness situation is unprecedented in the country and Manipur.

Nevertheless, the MPCC president urged both the state and central governments to take decisive action to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.

He reminded both the Centre and the state government that the 18 month-long violence has severely affected economy of the state and other key sectors including education and health.

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