Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday slammed the Opposition for disrupting the proceedings of Rajya Sabha and urged them to go through what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said about the violence-hit state in the Upper House today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi replied to the debate on the ‘Motion of Thanks’ in the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha, affirming that the central government is making efforts to normalise the situation in the north-eastern state of Manipur, which has been witnessing ethnic violence since last year.
“I would request everyone to go through what PM Modi has said in the Rajya Sabha. In the opening of PM Modi’s address to the nation on the morning of Independence Day in 2023, he started with an appeal to the people of Manipur that the whole country is with them. PM Modi also spoke in detail in the 17th Lok Sabha as well. So please go through what PM Modi has said about Manipur,” Rijiju said addressing a press conference.
Notably, PM Modi today spoke on the Manipur issue in the Upper House of the Paeliament amid the Opposition’s allegation that he had “turned his back” to the violence-hit state. His remarks come a day after the Lok Sabha saw disruptions and protests by Opposition leaders during his address.
“The government is continuously making efforts to normalise the situation in Manipur. More than 11,000 FIRs have been registered and over 500 people arrested. Incidents of violence are continuously reducing in Manipur”, PM Modi said.
PM Modi further said that the central and the state governments are establishing interactions with all stakeholders to restore peace.
“Today, schools, colleges, offices and other institutions are open in the state. The Central and the State govt are talking to all stakeholders to restore peace”, he said.
Giving a strong response to the opposition on the Manipur issue, PM Narendra Modi further attacked the Congress party stating that it had imposed President’s rule in Manipur 10 times.
“The Union Home Minister stayed there for many weeks…Central govt is extending all cooperation to Manipur to tackle the ongoing flood situation in the state. Today, two teams of NDRF have reached Manipur. I warn those who are trying to add the fuel to fire will be rejected by Manipur…Congress had imposed President’s rule in Manipur 10 times…” he said.
Notably, PM Modi clashed with Congress over Manipur issues in Parliament, sparking disruptions and accusations amid heated debates on regional unrest.
The northeastern state has been witnessing ethnic violence since May 3 last year following clashes during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest against the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category.
(With inputs from ANI)
