Cross-Party Support for Resolution, Opposition Blames Centre for Failure in Restoring Order
New Delhi, April 4 – The Rajya Sabha, in an early morning session on Friday, passed a Statutory Resolution confirming the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur, a state grappling with prolonged ethnic violence. The motion received support across party lines, although opposition leaders strongly criticised the Centre’s handling of the crisis.Amit Shah Defends Move, Announces Continued Peace Talks
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing the House at the conclusion of the debate, said that ongoing efforts were being made to restore peace in the strife-hit northeastern state. Shah disclosed that discussions between the Meitei and Kuki communities had already taken place in Manipur, and another round of talks is scheduled soon in the national capital.He also accused the opposition, particularly the Congress, of spreading misinformation and attempting to score political points, while claiming that there had been “zero violence” in the recent phase of the conflict.“We are investing our efforts to bring peace back in Manipur. Thirteen meetings have happened... The path to communication is open,” Shah said, underlining that the government was not politicising the issue.
No-Confidence Motion Row and CM Resignation Clarified
Refuting claims about a no-confidence motion, Shah explained that the then Chief Minister N Biren Singh had resigned on February 11, and no party, including the Congress with its five MLAs, came forward to stake claim to form a new government. This, he said, led to the imposition of President’s Rule in the state.Opposition Slams Centre, Demands PM’s Visit
Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on the Modi government, alleging complete failure in restoring order in Manipur.He called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur and meet the victims of the ethnic violence, while also urging the government to table a white paper in Parliament and initiate a thorough investigation into the events.“For nearly two years, Manipur has been burning and the government has totally failed in stopping the violence,” Kharge said.
Kharge accused the BJP’s “double-engine” governance model of delivering “bloodshed, division, and economic collapse” instead of the promised stability.
260 Lives Lost, Most in Initial Days
While confirming that 260 lives have been lost in the ethnic violence, Shah said most of the casualties occurred during the first week. He emphasised that such ethnic strife takes time to resolve, citing past examples from the Northeast, including the 1993 Naga-Kuki conflict that claimed 750 lives.TMC, Congress Accused of Double Standards
Targeting the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Left parties, Shah accused them of maintaining double standards. He pointed to post-poll violence in West Bengal, claiming that 250 people were killed and that the state had failed to act on incidents in Sandeshkhali and RG Kar Hospital.He also questioned objections from “Communist friends” over the PM not visiting Manipur, challenging them to differentiate between Naxalism and ethnic conflict.
Ethnic Conflict and Political Fault Lines
Shah concluded by stating that the BJP has never politicised ethnic issues in the Northeast, a region historically troubled by such strife. He reiterated that President’s Rule was not the Centre's preferred route but was necessitated due to the political vacuum following the CM’s resignation.
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