AIDWA leader questions Modi's silence
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 12 2025: The people of Manipur have suffered for more than two years due to the ethnic violence since May, 2023 but Prime Minister Narendra Modi is yet to visit the state to share in their sufferings, stated All India Democratic Women Association (AIDWA) president PK Sreemathi, questioning the prolonged silence of Modi.

Addressing media persons at Manipur Press'Club, Monday, PK Sreemathi said that all sections of society in the state are affected by the ongoing violence yet the Centre remains silent and takes no steps to tackle it.

While thousands of people displaced due to the violence continue to languish in relief camps, the Centre is paying no attention to their plights, thereby implying that the government is not concerned with suffering of people of the state, she said and questioned the reasons behind PM Modi's silence and reluctance to visit Manipur.

According to PK Sreemathi, women of Manipur play an important role in enhancing economy of the state since the early period with the iconic Ima Keithel a testament to their contributions to society.

However, women's representation in decision making bodies remains alarmingly low, with only 33 percent participation in Local Body Elections, though many states in the country have 50 percent reservation for women in such elections, she noted.

The AIDWA president further contended that while Local Bodies serve as one of the important pillars of democracy; the state is yet to conduct elections for municipal councils, Panchayat and other local bodies which have lapsed since 2017, terming the same as highly unfortunate.

Regarding resolutions arrived during the 8th AIDWA conference, PK Sreemathi recalled that the conference resolved to demand free movement of people in Manipur, a settled life for those in relief camps and improvement of their economy, immediate conduct of elections for municipal councils, Panchayat and ADCs with 50 percent reservation for women and immediate release of allowances for Mid-Day Meal workers pending for more than one year.

The conference also resolved to demand immediate resumption of public transport system, construction of resting places for women in all districts and reduction of prices of essentialcommodities, PK Sreemathi added.

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