NEW DELHI: Chief Minister N Biren Singh sharply countered senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s question about why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not visited violence-hit Manipur.
He also asked why former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao did not visit the Northeastern state during the turmoil in 1992-93.
READ MORE: BJP slams Rahul Gandhi’s X post about Manmohan Singh’s last rites
READ MORE: Ileana D’Cruz sparks pregnancy rumors with New Year post
N Biren Singh reflects on Manipur’s difficult year
On the last day of 2024, Chief Minister Singh addressed the media, stating that it had been an unfortunate year for Manipur and expressing hope for the restoration of peace in the coming year.
“This entire year has been very unfortunate. I want to say sorry to the people of the state for what’s happening till today since last May 3,” he stated.
Singh added, “Many people lost their loved ones. Many people left their homes. I feel regret. I apologise. But now, I hope after seeing the last three to four months progress towards the peace, I believe by 2025, the normalcy will be restored in the state.”
“I want to appeal to all the communities in the state, whatever happened has happened. You have to forgive and forget the past mistakes and we have to start a new life (towards) a peaceful and prosperous Manipur,” the Chief Minister concluded.
Jairam Ramesh accuses Prime Minister of ignoring Manipur
In response, Ramesh accused the central government of neglecting the Manipur violence.
He pointed out that the Prime Minister has not visited Manipur since May 2023, despite traveling both within India and abroad.
Ramesh suggested that the people of Manipur feel ignored and abandoned by the government.
Why can't the Prime Minister go to Manipur and say the same thing there? He has deliberately avoided visiting the state since May 4th, 2023, even as he jets around the country and the world. The people of Manipur simply cannot understand this neglect https://t.co/38lizNtiAy
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 31, 2024
“Why can’t the Prime Minister go to Manipur and say the same thing there? He has deliberately avoided visiting the state since May 4th, 2023, even as he jets around the country and the world. The people of Manipur simply cannot understand this neglect,” the Congress leader wrote on X.
N Biren Singh responds to Congress
Singh quickly responded to Congress by highlighting the actions of previous governments that contributed to unrest.
He pointed out the settlement of Burmese refugees and the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement with Myanmar-based militants during Congress’s tenure.
Singh also questioned why past Prime Ministers, including PV Narasimha Rao and I.K. Gujral, did not visit during the Naga-Kuki conflicts that occurred between 1992 and 1997.
Violence in Manipur has claimed over 180 lives since May of last year, when the Meitei community demanded Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and the tribal Kukis opposed it.
