Will resolve Kuki militancy problem in Manipur in 5 years: Amit Shah

A new life will be given to Kuki youths to enable them to join development of nation under PM Modi, says Home Minister

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the government would hold peace talks with all Kuki militant groups and their issue would be resolved in the next five years.

As the problem of Bodo militancy was solved in neighbouring Assam, no Kuki youth would have to carry arms anymore, Mr. Shah said at an election rally in Manipur's Churachandpur district.

Militant outfits such as the Kuki National Organisation and the United People's Front were demanding a separate State for the Kuki tribe in Manipur. The government had signed a Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact with them.

"Have confidence in us, we will talk to all Kuki organisations, and a new life will be given to all Kuki youths to enable them to join the development of the nation, of the hills and of Manipur under Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Mr. Shah said. He claimed that the Bodoland issue was solved in Assam.

"We have brought them [Bodo rebels] to the path of development and today, no Bodo youths have weapons in their hands. Instead, they have motorcycle keys, keys to industries and laptops," the Home Minister said. The same had been done in Karbi areas and more than 9,500 people associated with militancy in the north-east had surrendered and joined the mainstream, the BJP leader said at the rally.

Urging the people to bring the BJP back to power for the second time in a row in Manipur, Mr. Shah claimed that Chief Minister N Biren Singh, in the last five years, had freed the State from bandhs and blockades and was leading the State to the path of peace and development.