April 15, 2024, Home Minister Amit Shah holds a brand presented to him by Manipur CM N Biren Singh, during an election crusade rally in Imphal. Reuters Photo Guwahati In what's seen as an outright rejection of the demand for a" separate administration in Manipur for Kuki-Zo" communities to resolve the on going conflict.
On Monday Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the "state would not be allowed to break piecemeal under any circumstances". Shah emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presidency in the days ahead would be to establish peace through dialogue with communities, both in the hills and the valleys of Manipur. " This election isn't a battle between BJP and Congress. It's a battle between those who endorse for the concinnity of Manipur and those who promote its division," the Home Minister stated this while campaigning for BJP seeker Basanta Kumar Singh in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency, where the Meiteis form the maturity. BJP leader and Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Raj Kumar Ranjan Singh, is the peremptory MP from this constituency.
" The Congress party, wherever it goes, tends to sow seeds of division, whether it's by talking about South India versus North India or by trying to divide Manipur a moment, I want to assert that no matter how determined they may be, no bon has the guts to divide Manipur," Shah added. Shah also targeted Congress seeker Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, a JNU school teacher-turned-politician, professing that he's associated with the "Congress-supported tukde-tukde gang".
Shah's statement may potentially upset Kuki-Zo organisations in the hills of Manipur, as they've been championing for a "separate administration" (A Union Territory) for their people as a means to resolve the conflict with the Meiteis since May of last time. At least 219 people have been killed and over 60,000 others displaced due to the conflict. Despite the sweats of central forces to maintain peace ahead of the choices for the Inner Manipur and external Manipur Lok Sabha seats listed for April 19th and 26th. On Saturday Independently, a fresh gunfight passed performing in the deaths of two Kuki youths also, three Meitei individualities were injured in another gunfight on Friday.
" Manipur will witness peace in the days to come. Manipur has remained peaceful over the once six times. Moment I assure you that we will engage in dialogue with both those who burned the conflict and those who have suffered from it, with the end of restoring peace while conserving Manipur's integrity," Shah" said. Shah's statement is likely to reverberate appreciatively with the maturity Meitei community, which has been championing for border fencing and a establishment station against Kuki groups seeking separation from Manipur.
The Meite is hold significant influence in the Inner Manipur seat, making their support pivotal in electoral issues. Shah, still, is doubtful to campaign in the external Manipur seat, where the Kukis and Nagas are crucial players. The BJP and its supporter, the National People's Party, have extended support to the Naga People's Front(NPF) seeker, Timothy Zimik, while the Congress has contended Alfred K. Arthur, also a Naga, for the seat also, two further Naga campaignors are querying as Independents. The Kuki-Zo groups have decided not to dispute in the choices due to the on going conflict.