'Earlier underground outfits were against the Centre, now the violence is...': Kiren Rijiju on Manipur

Kiren Rijiju

Highlighting the changed security scenario in the northeastern states, particularly Manipur, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, said post 2014, the region is witnessing a golden era. Referring to Manipur, Rijiju said one must remember that the terms of engagement between militant outfits and the Centre has undergone remarkable changes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sworn in 2014.

Speaking to ANI, the MP from Arunachal Pradesh observed that  pre-2014, the underground groups and radical outfits from Manipur were against the Indian State, whereas the current issue is an ethnic conflict between two communities (Meiteis and Kukis), resulting from historical reasons that remain unaddressed.

Rijiju reiterated that leaders across political parties should refrain from blaming one community and appeal for normalcy in totality. Manipur has been gripped in ethnic violence for nearly two years.

The northeastern state is currently under President's rule, which came into effect in February following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Multiple security forces, including the Indian Army, are deployed in the state to maintain peace and security. And yet, the state has been more divided than ever. The free movement of people between Kuki and Meitei-dominated areas, which was opened up by the Centre on March 8, faces vehement opposition.

During the March 22 visit to Manipur by a delegation of Supreme Court judges, Justice N Kotiswar Singh, who is from the Meitei community, did not visit Churachandpur due to objections from a lawyers' body there. Instead, he visited Bishnupur district.

Justice BR Gavai headed the delegation of top court judges that visited Manipur on March 22 and assured that "peace will return to the state soon". They visited relief camps and virtually inaugurated legal services camps, legal aid clinics, and temporary medical facilities from the Mini Secretariat in Churachandpur district. They also went to a relief camp at Moirang College in Bishnupur.

Earlier in a speech in Parliament, Rijiju alleged that Congress is responsible for the violence in the Northeast. He also said that due to Congress’ misrule in the Northeast, Rahul Gandhi should tender an apology.

Speaking to ANI previously, Kiren Rijiju said, “During Congress misrule, all the militant organisations in the Northeast were formed. The militant organisations were formed because of Congress’ misrule. So, Congress is responsible for the violence in the Northeast. During PM Modi’s time, not a single militant organsiation formed rather more than 8000 militants surrendered with arms. Congress party is responsible for the formation of militant organisations as well as killing of thousands of people in last 60 years. For that, Rahul Gandhi should tender an apology.”