Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday (September 17, 2024) that resolving the situation in Manipur requires dialogue between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities, adding that a roadmap for Manipur in the coming days is already prepared. He emphasised that the incidents in Manipur cannot be attributed as “terrorism” as it is an “ethnic violence.”
Mr. Shah while addressing a press conference on the completion of 100-days of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government said that the government is in discussions with both the Kuki and Meitei groups.
While responding to a question by The Hindu on government’s strategy regarding Manipur which has seen violence erupt in waves since his visit last year, Mr. Shah said, “For three days, violent incidents occurred in the State, except these, there was no major incident in the past three months, there is peace in Manipur for the past three days. I am hopeful that we will be able to take control of the entire situation effectively. We are holding discussions with both the communities, unless there is a dialogue between the two communities, no solution can be arrived at, we are in discussions with both the Meitei and the Kuki groups, in the coming days we have prepared a roadmap to take all sort of initiatives in Manipur.”
Replying to a question on rumours about resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Mr. Shah said,” who told you that he has been asked to resign?”
In fresh spell of violence, at least 11 people have been killed in the State. Violent protests were witnessed in the valley areas and stones were thrown at the Governor’s House. Curfew was imposed in valley districts and Internet services were suspended. The protestors were demanding that the control of the unified command, responsible for taking security decisions in the State should be handed over to the chief minister. They also demanded resignation of Director General of Police Rajiv Singh and security adviser Kuldiep Singh, the chair of the unified command appointed by the Centre.
He said in the first 100-days of the government, fencing has started along the Myanmar border as it (unfenced border) is at the core of the current crisis. He added that 30 km fencing has been completed and budget has been approved to fence the entire border.
India shares a 1,643 km border with Myanmar which passes along the States of Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km).
Union Home Minister Amit Shah releases a booklet on the achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government in first 100 days of the third term in New Delhi on September 17, 2024. | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy
“We have successfully launched Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at strategic locations. To stop infiltration, we have scrapped the Free Movement Regime with Myanmar and we have brought a law that the areas can only be accessible through visas. Many security lapses or loopholes along the border have been plugged. Recently for three days, violent incidents occurred in the State, except these, there was no major incident in the past three months, there is peace in Manipur for the past three days, I am hopeful that we will be able to take control of the entire situation effectively, we are holding discussions with both the communities, unless there is a dialogue between the two communities, no solution can be arrived at, we are in discussions with both the Meitei and the Kuki groups, and in the coming days we have prepared a roadmap to include all sorts of initiatives.
On Monday, Mr. Shah announced that 21 Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars or central police canteens in Manipur will be open to all and also announced the setting up of 16 new canteens, eight each in the valley and hill districts.
On being asked, how this would help the people, Mr. Shah said, “Roadblocks happened in the past, transporters do not want to take those routes. Common people will get around 100 essential items such as toothpaste, brush, soaps edibles etc at a reasonable price. It will provide relief to the people, this will help bring down the prices of items, the marginalised will benefit. The canteens will be for everyone.”
At least 237 people have been killed in the ethnic violence between the tribal Kuki-Zo and the Meitei people since May 3, 2023. More than 60,000 people have been displaced from their homes.
‘One nation, one election’ within its current tenure
Mr. Shah on Tuesday (September 17, 2024) said the BJP-led NDA Government will implement the ‘one nation, one election’ within its current tenure.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav address a press conference on the 100 days achievement of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s third term, in New Delhi on September 17, 2024. | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi to mark the 100 days of the third consecutive term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Shah said, “We plan to implement one nation one poll within the tenure of this government.”
Mr. Shah was flanked by I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at the press conference.
In his Independence Day address last month, the Prime Minister made a strong pitch for ‘one nation, one election’, contending that frequent polls were creating hurdles in the country’s progress.
“The nation has to come forward for ‘one nation, one election’,” Mr. Modi had said in his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
‘One nation, one election’ is one of the key promises made by the BJP in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections.
A high-level panel headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind in March this year recommended simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies as the first step followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days.
Separately, the Law Commission is likely to recommend holding simultaneous polls for all three tiers of government — Lok Sabha, State Assemblies and local bodies like Municipalities and Panchayats — starting in 2029 and a provision for a unity government in cases such as a hung house or when a no-confidence motion is passed.
The Kovind panel has not specified any period for rolling out simultaneous polls.
It has proposed creation of an ‘Implementation Group’ to look into the execution of the panel’s recommendations.
The panel recommended as many as 18 constitutional amendments, most of which will not need ratification by the state assemblies.
However, these would require certain Constitution amendment bills that would need to be passed by Parliament.
Census will be conducted soon
The census will be conducted across the country soon, Mr. Shah said, and added that the details regarding the caste census would be made public after the census is announced.
The decennial census was supposed to be held in 2021, but it has been postponed indefinitely since then. The last census conducted in India was in 2011.
Mr. Shah also said no country can develop without their regional languages. “Rajbhasha (Hindi) is not in competition with any other languages in the country,” he said.
Mr. Shah has previously pitched for the need for having a common language to be spoken across the country. Many regional-language State governments have expressed their opposition to the imposition of Hindi.
On the issue of railway accidents in the country, Mr. Shah said if they are being done as part of a conspiracy, it will be dealt with accordingly. “The NIA, CBI, and the railway police are preparing a blueprint to deal with it,” he said.
On being asked about the QR codes being shared by Muslim groups to oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill, Mr. Shah said the Parliamentary Committee has received complaints, and it is working on it.
(with inputs from PTI)
Published - September 17, 2024 11:21 am IST
