New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the BJP-led central government’s priority is to establish peace in the ethnic strife affected Manipur. "This Lok Sabha election is between forces trying to break Manipur and those keeping it united," Shah said at a public meeting in Imphal.
Senior BJP leader Amit Shah raised concerns over attempts of infiltration aimed at altering the demographic composition of Manipur.
"I want to tell this today that our (CM) Biren Singh may not say this, but he kept a big demand before PM Modi - Manipur cannot remain united without the Inner Line Permit (ILP). The BJP government has strengthened Manipur by giving Inner Line Permit".
Shah said, "Destiny of country will change when that of northeast and Manipur will change". While addressing rally, Shah, said, "Establishment of peace in Manipur by taking all communities on board is priority of Narendra Modi govt".
Last year's tragic ethnic clashes in Manipur, claimed the lives of over 200 individuals. The violence erupted amidst protests against the Meitei community's push for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Home Minster accused Congress of having an agenda to divide Manipur and added that no one has the courage to divide Manipur.
“This election is to make Modi the prime minister for the third time. This election is not between the Congress and the BJP but between forces who talk about breaking Manipur and who want to keep Manipur united,” PTI quoted Shah as saying.
Congress Wants To Divide North And South
Amit Shah accused the Congress of harboring divisive intentions to split the nation into North and South. He criticised the Congress for disregarding the importance of smaller states. Shah pointed out the Congress's historical neglect of Manipur, citing instances such as prolonged blockades and alleged fake encounters during the tenure of former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh. Ibobi Singh of the Congress was the chief minister of the northeastern state between 2012 and 2017 before N Biren Singh of the BJP took charge.
The Inner Line Permit (ILP), introduced in Manipur on January 1, 2020, serves as a vital travel document for visitors to regions where it is enforced. Shah criticised the Congress for its historical neglect of Manipur's heritage, highlighting instances such as the exile of Manipur Maharaja Kulachandra Dhwaja Singh to the Andaman Islands by the British.
Shah commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for honoring Manipuri freedom fighters, including renaming Mt. Harriet in the Andaman archipelago to Mt. Manipur. "Modi has taken up the job of freeing the northeast from militancy and separatism. In the last ten years, the prime minister has made the country secure", Shah said.
Conflict Claimed Over 700 Lives
Shah mentioned the loss of lives, citing specific instances such as the Kuki-Naga conflict which claimed over 700 lives, and the Kuki-Paite clashes which resulted in over 300 casualties. Additionally, clashes between Meiteis and Pangals resulted in the deaths of around 100 individuals. He acknowledged concerns over illegal immigration from Myanmar, acknowledging attempts to alter Manipur's demographic composition.
To address these challenges, Shah announced the Modi government's decision to fortify the Myanmar border with fencing and revoke the Free Movement Regime. He lauded the region's peace and stability over the past six years, pledging to engage in dialogue with both perpetrators and victims of past violence to foster reconciliation and lasting peace.
Questioning the Congress's contributions to Manipur, Shah criticised the party for a legacy of "loot, protests, blockades, and bandhs." In contrast, Shah highlighted the developmental initiatives undertaken by the BJP government, including the construction of national highways and establishment of a medical college in the state.
Shah further pledged that within the next five years, every resident of Manipur would have access to a fully-equipped house with facilities such as toilets, electricity, water connection, and LPG. Urging support for BJP candidates in both the Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituencies.