Is Manipur a part of India or not, Ibobi asks PM Modi
Source: Chronicle News Service

New Delhi, June 17 2023: The Congress, along with ten like mind ed parties from Manipur, on Saturday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the violence in the north eastern state, adding that they waiting for an appointment to discuss the issue in-depth with him.

Addressing a press conference here at the party headquarters, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "Ten opposition parties from Manipur are waiting for the appointment from the Prime Minister.

Ten parties, Congress, JD (U), CPI, CPI (M), Trinamool Congress, AAP, All India Forward Bloc, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP and Revolutionary Socialist Party have sought an appointment with the Prime Minister.

They are awaiting a reply.

We are hopeful that before leaving for the US on June 20, he will meet the opposition parties" .

All these leaders are wait ing in the national capital and will stay put till June 20 to meet the Prime Minister.

Taking a swipe at the BJP government at Centre, Ramesh, who is party 's Communications in charge said, "Manipur was burning 22 years ago on June 18,2001.The Assembly Speaker's bungalow, CM Secretariat was burnt and the blockade remained for three-and a half months.

At that time the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the demand of all parties, convened an all-party meeting twice and he appealed for peace" .

"Whereas, today leaders from 10 parties are waiting to meet PM Modi, but he is silent, " Ramesh, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP, said.

He said that on June 24, 2001, an all-party delegation from Manipur met the Prime Minister, it was just six days after the incident in the state.

"Before going abroad, the then Home Minister LK Ad-vani met the all-party delegation on July 8 and the Prime Minister (Vajpayee) once again appealed to maintain the calm and help the administration to help in restoring normalcy in the state,"' he said.

Ramesh said that today leaders of 10 political par ties are waiting here to get a chance to meet the Prime Minister but he is silent and he is yet to make an appeal.

"This is clear that there is no faith in the state government and we can only hope to get help from the central government as the state government has failed entirely.

Even after Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Manipur, there is no difference in the situation," he stated.

"We demand that the Prime Minister see the appeal of Vajpayee and also meet with the delegation.

Instead of Mann ki Baat, he must do Manipur ki Baat," Ramesh added.

Former Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh said that since May 3, Manipur has been burning, and to this day, it continues to burn.

"There is a hue and cry everywhere, with 20,000 people, including women and children, taking shelter in camps.

However, the Prime Minister has not yet expressed anything regarding Manipur.

Is Manipur a part of India or not? If it is, why hasn't the Prime Minister of India spoken about it? We, the 10 like-minded political parties, have prepared a memorandum advocating for peace" .

"We are not here for political advantage but we simply seek peace.

Please help us," Ibobi added.

Five-time MLA Nimaic-hand Luwang, who was part of the delegation that had met Vajpayee, said even after the visit of the Home Minister, the violence in Manipur continues unabated.

"The current BJP government has failed miserably in addressing the situation in Manipur.

We want the Prime Minister to intervene and bring a solution to stop the violence in Manipur," he said.

Manipur PCC President Keisham Meghachandra said, "We, leaders of 10 like-mind-ed political parties, have arrived in Delhi to secure an appointment with PM Modi, as he appears unconcerned about the issues plaguing Manipur" .

Sources said that the Congress has convened a meeting of opposition leaders here on Monday if there is no response from the prime minister to their request.

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