New Delhi: The Centre came under fresh attack from the Opposition over the situation in Manipur Monday, with Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sulata Deo taking an indirect dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting the strife-torn state.
Quoting a report by ThePrint, Deo said that at least 258 people have lost their lives since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur nearly two years ago. “When Manipur was burning, we were sleeping. We have studied in history—when Rome was burning, Nero was playing the flute. When Manipur is burning, we have a double-engine government which is sleeping.”
In what appeared to be a dig at PM Modi, Deo said, “They have time to roam abroad, but not to go to Manipur.” She added that the PM had not visited Manipur since 2022 but had gone abroad 40 times.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh also raised the issue. “PM Modi is in M for Mauritius, when will he go to M for Manipur…You visit the entire world, you go to Qatar, Dubai; hug Qatar Sheikhs, like two brothers separated in the Kumbh. Give hugs to the people of Manipur,” he said.
He also demanded a probe into the leaked audio tapes allegedly linking former Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh to the conflict in the state. His statement prompted the chair to ask him to authenticate his claim.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Prof Manoj Kumar Jha claimed people in Manipur had lost all faith in the institutions.
“Finally, maybe Manipur may feel today (due to the discussion) that it’s a part of the country, because there has been a very delayed response from our side (on the Manipur violence),” he said, recommending that an all-party delegation visit all areas and communities in the state.
In response, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Singh claimed that the situation was getting better in Manipur, with around 7,000 people having returned to their homes from relief camps.
(Edited by Sanya Mathur)
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