PM Modi breaks silence over Manipur situation, says violence declining in the state

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Facing intense Opposition scrutiny and protests over the government’s handling of the situation in Manipur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the issue, stating that the violence in the state is continuously declining and the government is making every effort to restore peace in the strifetorn Northeastern state.

In his reply in the Rajya Sabha to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, PM Modi emphasised that the government was leaving no stone unturned to restore peace in the Northeastern state and urged the Opposition to rise above politics on the issue. “Some elements are adding fuel to the fire, and such elements will be rejected by the people of Manipur,” he said.

He noted that Manipur has had a “long history” of “social struggle.” Modi remarked, “Congress people should not forget that because of these reasons, President’s rule had to be imposed 10 times... There have to be some issues. And this has not happened in our tenure.”

Modi mentioned that educational institutions have reopened and businesses are operational in most parts of the state. “The government is making continuous efforts to bring normalcy in Manipur,” he said, informing that over 11,000 FIRs have been filed in connection with the violence in the state and more than 500 people have been arrested.

He stressed that the Central and State governments were engaging with all stakeholders to open the door to peace.