Manipur Violence-Opposition Visit highlights | I.N.D.I.A MPs visit relief camp, BJP says ‘on political tourism’

The opposition alliance INDIA is likely to defer its third meeting in Mumbai to the first week of September after some leaders conveyed they may be unavailable on August 25-26 due to other engagements, sources said on Saturday.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), an umbrella group of tribals in Manipur, on Saturday wrote a letter to opposition alliance INDIA, seeking its support for their demand of a separate administration and implementation of President's rule in the violence-hit state.

"Political parties can visit and I hope that not only in situations like these, but political parties have interest in the Northeast in other times also and they visit and see the difficulties and challenges we face...": Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma on Opposition MPs of I.N.D.I.A parties visiting Manipur, ANI reported.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday alleged that violence in West Bengal during the recently concluded panchayat elections was carried out by TMC activists as per instructions of Chief Minister and party supremo Mamata Banerjee, PTI reported.

A massive rally was taken out here on Saturday to protest against the demand for a 'separate administration' for areas inhabited by the Kuki community, PTI reported.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators from across five valley districts of the state participated in the rally, demanding the territorial integrity of the northeastern state where race riots began in early May.

The protest march, organised by Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), began at Thangmeiband in Imphal West district and culminated at Hapta Kangjeibunand in Imphal East, covering a distance of 5 km.

Holding aloft placards, demonstrators raised slogans against those who demanded separate administration, and against "illegal immigrants from Myanmar".

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, says "The Central government is saying that peace has been restored in Manipur, so why are people staying in relief camps? Why are they unable to go back to their homes? We would like to accompany PM Modi if he decides to visit Manipur with an all-party delegation"

"We met the victims. They are under huge shock. They have made a specific demand which I will raise with the Governor," says TMC leader Sushmita Dev after meeting the Manipur video victims.

After visiting a relief camp in Churachandpur district, TMC MP Sushmita Dev says "It was important for us to come and meet the victims here, the sad part is that the Government of India should have sent a delegation but Opposition parties have to send a delegation here," ANI reported.

On Opposition MPs of I.N.D.I.A parties visiting Manipur, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh says, "This is mere showoff...PM Modi's govt is trying to heal the wounds of people in Manipur but the Opposition is simply staging a drama...," ANI reports.

“The MPs who have gone to Manipur, I want to ask them why can’t they show the same concern over West Bengal as they have shown over Manipur. If they have time to go to Manipur, why do they not have the time to go to West Bengal?” says Union Minister Anurag Thakur, PTI reports.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told reporters after visiting a relief camp, "They are talking of investigation by CBI (into the crimes committed)... I would like to ask were they (central government) sleeping till now?"

Watch | Rashtriya Janata Dal's Manoj Jha and Trinamool Congress's Sushmita Dev meet locals as leaders of I.N.D.I.A alliance reach Manipur.

"They are on political tourism. Instead of analysing the situation there (Manipur), they are busy with a photo session," says BJP leader Manoj Tiwari on I.N.D.I.A bloc's two-day Manipur visit.

"The opposition has a selective approach to law and order situation in states. They are doing dirty politics," says BJP leader Rakesh Tripathi on opposition MPs' visit to Manipur, PTI reports.

Former Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh, says "We are extremely happy to welcome this team representing MPs from around 26 political parties. They should visit the relief camps and meet people who are out of their homes for almost 3 months now. They should inform the Govt about the situation so that normalcy is restored as early as possible. We will discuss with the members regarding our demand for the resignation of the Manipur CM"

RJD MP Manoj Jha says, "There is no strategy as of now. We are divided into two groups and our only attempt is to listen to the people of Manipur. They are not being heard. We will visit several relief camps and talk to the people of the state. We will meet the Governor and have discussions"

“It is a gesture from people of the country towards the people of Manipur that we will not allow any injustice to happen,” Congress leader Harish Rawat told PTI on the Manipur visit of INDIA MPs.

"We had requested Home minister Amit Shah to send an all-party delegation to Manipur to take stock of the situation, but it was not accepted," said AAP leader Sanjay Singh on opposition MPs' visit to Manipur.

“We have several demands from the Governor, we want to conduct a survey and have discussions among ourselves before taking any call,” Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told ANI after landing in Imphal. 

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, says "We want the public's demand to be heard and we are going to represent the demand of the people. We have come to represent the people of Manipur and their concerns"

(ANI)

We are not here to do politics, all of us have to try for peaceful solution to end conflict in Manipur: Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Imphal

“What Anurag Thakur said is bogus. The situation in Manipur cannot be compared to any other state,” says TMC leader Sougata Roy in response to Union minister Anurag Thakur's remark on opposition MPs' visit to Manipur.

Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey visits relief centres in Churachandpur, says, "People are asking when peace will be restored in the state. I am constantly trying that people from both communities should talk to each other to restore peace. We are talking to them and also to all political parties to help in this process."

"I appeal to them to contribute towards restoring peace in the state," says Manipur Governor on the two-day visit of Opposition MPs of INDIA parties to the state.

"The government will provide compensation to people who have lost members of their family and suffered loss of property. I will do everything possible for peace and the future of the people of Manipur," the Governor says.

CBI registers FIR after taking charge of Manipur viral video case