Countering opposition's demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on Manipur issue, Union Home Minister Amit Shah cites 1993 riots in the state saying: "In 1993, 700 people killed in Naga-Kuki clashes; it was MoS Home who made statement in Parliament, not PM or Home Minister." Shah's remarks came as the opposition has been criticising PM Modi's silence over Manipur, which has been in upheaval for more than three months and has claimed the lives of more than 150 people.
Shah lashed out at the opposition over the Manipur violence stating that what happenned in the state "is shameful, politicising it even more shameful."
Addressing the parliament, Shah stated: "I agree with the opposition's claim that there has been excessive violence in Manipur. In fact, we are more hurt than them (opposition). Such incidents have happened there that we should be ashamed as a society. However, while the incidents are shameful, doing politics on it is even more shameful."
"From day one I was ready for the discussion on the Manipur issue but Opposition never wanted to do a discussion. The opposition doesn't want me to speak but they can't silence me. 130 cr people have selected us so they have to listen to us...During the past six years of our government, the need for curfew never rose," Amit Shah said.
Slamming the opposition, Shah claimed that PM Modi has worked assiduously to bring the North East into the mainstream, while the opposition has done nothing.
Shah stated: "PM Modi has visited the northeast more than 50 times in the last nine years. This shows that the northeast is part of our country. They are questioning us over the northeast when they did nothing for the region."
"We are pained at incidents of violence in Manipur," Shah further stated.