“It is Modi’s guarantee…”: Amit Shah pledges Restoration of Peace, Calls PM Modi Friend of Manipur

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday assured the people of Manipur that the Modi government is committed towards restoring peace in the state. Shah lashed out at the Congress, blaming the grand old party for the alleged factionalism that exists in the state. “This election isn’t just a fight between the BJP and the Congress; the forthcoming elections signify a fight between those who want to unite Manipur, and those who want to divide it,” thundered the Union Home Minister while drumming up support for BJP candidate Thounaojam Basanta Kumar, fielded from the Inner Manipur constituency, days ahead of the all-important 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“Modi ji has always maintained that the fate of India will change only when the fate of the North East changes. He has said that the fate of India will change only when the fate of Manipur changes,” said Shah while highlighting the slew of welfare measures undertaken by the Modi government in Manipur.

Amit Shah hit out at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge who has always questioned the alleged silence of the Prime Minister over the Manipur issue, and asserted that the grand old party has ignored smaller states like Manipur and failed to realize that the soul of India resides in these states. “Modi ji has come to the North East 70 times, and our ministers and leaders have visited over 700 times. Yet, Kharge ji questions our visits to these small states, but he fails to realize that the soul of India rests in these states,” said Shah.

In his speech, the Union Home Minister conveyed the Modi government’s commitment towards fencing the Myanmar border to stop infiltration. “The Narendra Modi government is committed towards fencing the Myanmar border; we will ensure the safety of Manipur. We have already begun the fencing process. Under the garb of the free movement regime, smuggling of narcotics carried on unabated and that is why we have stopped the free movement regime,” he added.

The Union Home Minister elucidated ways in which if voted to power, the BJP would ensure the welfare and development of Manipur. “I want to tell the people of both the mountains and the valley that it is Modi ji’s priority to maintain peace and unity in Manipur through discussion and reconciliation…I give Modi’s guarantee to the people of Manipur that in the coming years the people will be given free houses, toilets, gas, electricity, and medical insurance up to Rs 5 lakhs,” said Amit Shah. He further stated that the saffron party will ensure that peace is restored in Manipur. “In recent times, there has been an incident of violence in Manipur, I promise to you that we will talk to the representatives of both communities and ensure that peace is restored in Manipur without dividing it,” he added.

It is important to note that this is Amit Shah’s first visit to Manipur  since his initial visit back in May 2023 after violence broke out in the state. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Union Home Minister visited the state campaigning on behalf of BJP candidate Thounaojam Basanta Kumar, fielded from the Inner Manipur constituency.

Ethnic violence that broke out in Manipur on May 3 last year has claimed over 200 lives and displaced over 60,000 people. Spersed by brief periods of lull, the most recent spate of violence in the state has claimed two lives in Phailengmol on Saturday.​