The Congress party on Sunday welcomed the decisions taken at the security review meeting for Manipur, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It however questioned why were those decisions not taken earlier and why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yet not visited the violence-hit state.
On Saturday, Shah reviewed the security situation in the state with a focus on bringing back normalcy and surrendering illegal and looted arms held by different groups.
The meeting took place for the first time after the President’s rule was imposed in the state following the resignation of N Biren Singh as Chief Minister.
During the meeting, Shah directed security forces to ensure the free movement of people on all roads in Manipur from March 8. The meeting was attended by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, top officials of the Manipur government, Army, and paramilitary forces.
Why Was The Decision Not Taken Earlier: Congress
Manipur Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh welcomed the decision but also questioned why was this decision not taken earlier. “The meeting chaired by HM Amit Shah in Delhi and the outcomes of the meeting are a welcome step. The free movement should be open from 8th March. There is no doubt that it is a very welcome step. But why was this decision not taken earlier when there was a BJP government?” he said.
“Regarding the border fencing, it is also a good decision, and this was a long demand of the people here…,” the Congress leader added.
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate trained guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he has “abandoned” Manipur while going on to visit other countries.
“Manipur has been abandoned by the Modi government, especially by Prime Minister Modi. It has been more than one and a half years. Manipur is burning. Violence continues even today. The fire of hatred and animosity still spreads. Even today, more than sixty thousand children and women are forced to live in relief camps. Billions of rupees worth of property have been destroyed. People are armed,” she said.
“People are openly carrying weapons and roaming the streets for drug trafficking. We have raised this issue before as well. Manipur is still waiting for its Prime Minister. It has been more than one and a half years. The Prime Minister of this country has time for jungle safaris. He has time to visit the US, UK, Greece, and South Africa. But he does not want to go to Manipur. Does he not want to go to Manipur?” the Congress leader added.
