New Delhi: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023.
CM Singh, who left Imphal to attend the NITI Ayog meeting in New Delhi along with the conclave of Chief Ministers, said that he could meet Modi on the sidelines of the events, reported The Hindu.
Back in June, more than 20 Manipur MLAs from the NDA had camped in New Delhi hoping to meet the PM.
“The Prime Minister will chair the NITI Aayog meeting and the Chief Ministers’ conclave will be in his presence. I will have the privilege to discuss the prevailing situation (in Manipur). I will make a request seeking an immediate solution to the present crisis,” said CM Singh, reported The Hindu.
In recent times, CM Singh has come under severe criticism for failing to restore law and order in the state, with a clamour growing for his resignation.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders have slammed PM Modi for not visiting Manipur even once since the ethnic conflict began, leading to the deaths of hundreds and displacement of thousands.
While Modi has claimed that the “best resources and administrative machinery” has been devoted to resolve the crisis, eleven months on violence has continued along with looting of arms and ammunition contributing to the violence.
Reports of arms looted by the mob came first from the valley districts, leading the N. Biren Singh government to urge people to return them. Provisions were made at various locations across Imphal to facilitate the return of the looted arms. However, only a fraction of it has been recovered by state police so far.