MLAs elicit positive response from Rajnath
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 20 2023: In a new development, Ministers and MLAs of the ruling parties met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at New Delhi today and apprised the Central leader about the root cause of the violence and the subsequent threat to the future of Manipur.

The MLAs who have been camping met the Defence Minister at the latter's residence at New Delhi at around 1 pm.

Reportedly, the MLAs asked Rajnath to take up necessary measures to stop the influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar, deforestation and poppy plantations in hill districts and the alleged attempt to convert Manipur as a hub of drug business by narco-terrorists.

The MLAs also urged the Defence Minister to drive away the Kuki narco-terrorists who intruded into the State and are creating mayhem.

It is said that the meeting lasted for about an hour.

In a telephonic conversation with The Sangai Express, some MLAs of the ruling parties said that they got a positive response from the Defence Minister during the meeting.

The MLAs also said that Rajnath gave them the time to meet him immediately after the appointment was sought.

Saying that they have submitted a similar memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the Defence Minister, the MLAs continued that they apprised Rajnath about the prevailing situation in Manipur and the root cause of the violence.

Further stating that they went to Delhi as per the aspiration of the people, the MLAs maintained that they told the Defence Minister about the inability of the State Government to end the violence.

"We have made it very clear to Rajnath that serious intervention of the Centre is needed to break the cycle of violence and pave a way forward," the MLAs said.

It is said that the MLAs also requested the Defence Minister to work out a solution and restore normalcy in Manipur by consulting with Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

The MLAs said that they also asked the Defence Minister to formulate a policy to check poppy cultivation in hill districts of Manipur and complete the border fencing works.

On destroying poppy fields using Indian Air Force (IAF), Rajnath said that he had no knowledge about the matter and there is no plan to act in such a way, conveyed the MLAs.

The Defence Minister, after listening to the MLAs, asked what additional measures can be taken up to restore normalcy in Manipur expeditiously.

On meeting with Amit Shah, they said three teams comprising five MLAs each have met the Union Home Minister.

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