Shah vows to end Kuki militancy in 5 years
"Congress wanted people of hills and valley to fight against each other to suit its politics"
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 23 2022: Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that the government will hold peace talks with all Kuki militant groups and their issues will be resolved in the next five years.

No Kuki youth will have to carry arms anymore, Shah said in an election rally in Churachandpur district.

Militant outfits such as Kuki National Organisation and United People's Front were demanding a separate state for the Kuki tribe in Manipur.

The government has signed a Suspension of Operation (SoO) with them.

"Have confidence in us, we will talk to all Kuki organisations, and a new life will be given to all Kuki youth to enable them to join the development of the nation, of the hills and of Manipur under PM Modi," Shah said.

Stating that the Bodoland issue has been solved in Assam, he said: "We have brought them (Bodo rebels) to the path of development and today, no Bodo youth have weapons in their hands.

Instead, they have motorcycle keys, keys to industries and laptops" .

The same has been done in Karbi areas and more than 9,500 people associated with militancy in the North East have surrendered and joined the mainstream, the BJP leader said in the poll rally.

Amit Shah also said that with the initiative of the Modi-led government over 9500 militants of various outfits in the north-eastern region have surrendered to the government and peace has been prevailing in Manipur and other north-eastern states.

Highlighting Modi's vision for the development of the north-eastern region, the Home Minister said that the Prime Minister, unlike his predecessors, visited the region more than 40 times.

Highlighting the benefits availed to lakhs of people in PM-Kisan, Ayushman Bharat and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the Home Minister said that an "Atmanirbhar Manipur'' would be made and it would be developed into a model state by the BJP government.

Urging the people to bring the BJP back to power for the second time in a row in Manipur, Shah claimed that chief minister N Biren in the last five years has freed the state from bandhs and blockades and is leading the state to the path of peace and development.

He attacked the Congress claiming that the state was known for militancy, drugs and arms trafficking, blockades and corruption during its rule.

Under the BJP, all these have been substituted with development, connectivity, infrastructure, sports and industries, Shah said.

"During the time of Congress, there were three 'I's - Instability, Insurgency and Inequality.

During the BJP rule, the 'I's are Innovation, Infrastructure and Integration," the union minister said.

He claimed that the Congress wanted the people of the hills and the valley to fight against each other to suit its politics, whereas the BJP has led both to the path of development.

Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to make Manipur the best sports hub in the country, free the youth from drugs and arms and make them Olympic gold medal winners.

The National Sports University is being set up in the state, while a decision has been made to establish one Khelo India centre in each of the 16 districts of the state to tap local talents and provide them with a platform, Shah said.

He said an Olympic Park' spread over 10 acres will be built to provide training facilities to state-level players so that they become international athletes.

He said that in the last five years, the BJP government has worked hard to bring an end to violence in Manipur and make it an ideal state and in the next five years, it will be the best state in the whole region.

According to our Churachandpur correspondent, Amit Shah arrived in a helicopter about 1.30 pm in Churachandpur accompanied by Assam and Manipur CMs Himanta Biswa and Biren and then addressed a mammoth gathering at Lamka public ground.

Soon after arrival, Amit Shah was presented traditional shawls by all tribal leaders while Churachandpur MLA V Hangkhanlian delivered the welcome address.

In his speech, CM Biren said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of making Manipur one of the most developed states in sports is achievable as the state had already produced world class sportsperson like MC Mary Kom, L Sarita and others.

While confiding that the state government is taking up steps to construct a sports centre spread over an area of 325 acre, he said the government is committed to bringing improvement in sports.

He also said that Inner Line Permit (ILP) has been extended in Manipur by the Prime Minister arid Rs 15 crore has sanctioned for construction of a museum while Mount Harriet had been renamed Mount Manipur.

BJP wants equal development in both the hills and valleys, he added.

Home minister Amit Shah also conducted door-to-door campaign in Hiangtam Lamka areas near Lamka public ground.

He was accompanied by N Biren and Himanta Biswas besides other BJP leaders during the campaign.

Comment