'Indian Govt Is Not Adamant': Union Minister Says Centre Ready For Talks To Resolve Manipur Issue

In a request to warring groups in Manipur to maintain peace, the Union Minister for Development of the North Eastern Region said the Central government was ready for talks to resolve the issue.

Union Minister for Development of the North Eastern Region G Kishan Reddy said on Sunday (May 7) that the Central government was ready for talks to resolve the conflict in Manipur, news agency PTI reported. Reddy stated that the Centre was not adamant when it came to people's welfare, and that it even withdrew three Farm Laws after agriculturists demanded that the controversial regulations be repealed.

Riots erupted in Manipur between the Meitei community, which primarily lives in Imphal Valley, and the Naga and Kuki tribes, who live in the hill districts, over the former's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

As curfew was relaxed in parts of Manipur on Sunday, life began to limp back to normalcy under the watchful eyes of army drones and helicopters deployed for aerial reconnaissance.

"Please come forward to solve the issues in a peaceful manner. The Indian Government is ready. You have seen the farmers’ issue. When it was peaceful, we tried to convince them. As the issue was not resolved, we agreed to their demand, and those Bills (three farm laws) were withdrawn. So the Indian Government is not adamant," Reddy was quoted as saying by PTI.

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He emphasised that the government's main priority was the welfare of the people and urged Manipur residents to recognise this and come forward for talks. He assured them that the government (state or central) would look after those who suffered losses and lost lives in the clashes. 

According to him, the situation is under control, even as both the Central and State governments work to ensure that peace returns soon. Asserting that the people of Manipur were also Indians, he stated that it was the responsibility of the state and the Centre to resolve any issues that arose.

"If they have any problem, it is the responsibility of the state and central government to solve it. We all should observe restraint. We should solve the issue through discussions, but not through violence. Nothing can be achieved through violence. So violence is not the only way," he added.