BJP will establish peace in Manipur: Shah

Home Minister says talks will initiated with ‘all underground groups’

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday pledged to establish peace in Manipur by initiating talks with all underground groups operating in the State. He also asserted that all smuggling activities will come to an end in Manipur, which will be “drug-free” within the next five years.

Addressing a poll rally at Heirok in Thoubal district, Mr. Shah said, “We have shown in Assam and Tripura... where 9,500 youths laid down their weapons and joined the mainstream.” "No youth will go to jail, none will have weapons in their hands, but will join the mainstream and work for national development,” the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader added.

Last week, the Opposition Congress had complained to the Election Commission of India (EC) about a purported statement of support by a militant group, the Kuki National Organisation, in favour of the ruling BJP. The statement of support claimed that as the Union Home Minister and the BJP leadership have promised “swift settlement of Kuki aspirations”, the outfit will support all BJP candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls, and warned that acting against its appeal would be seen as “acting against Kuki interests”.

Hitting out at the Congress, Mr. Shah said the party had failed to provide basic amenities when it was in power in Manipur, where electricity was earlier available “for just five to six hours a day”. After the BJP came to the northeastern State, the Home Minister said, all villages had been electrified and power is available round the clock. He also said just 5% of houses had access to potable water during the Congress regime, which had increased to 57% under the BJP’s rule.

The Congress had divided the State by “creating tension within different communities”, while the BJP has deep respect for the Manipur’s culture and identity, Mr. Shah said. He also promised to make Manipur a sports hub, with the 325-acre National Sports University becoming functional in the State in a few years.

The second phase of the Assembly elections in Manipur for 22 seats will be held on March 5.