New Delhi: People of the violence-affected state of Manipur are unhappy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not yet visited there. This is what former Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey has said. In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Uikey said, ‘The Prime Minister and the Home Minister must have taken a decision in view of the situation in Manipur at that time. I do not have any information about it. The people of Manipur like PM Modi. People respect him/her because of the development work done there. They are a little sad and say that the Prime Minister should visit Manipur.’ In fact, since May 3 last year, more than 200 people have been killed and thousands have become homeless in the clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities. When asked whether PM Modi has disappointed the people of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey said that it is not so. She said, ‘I don’t think so, I think PM Modi had gone to France at that time. After returning to India, he/she also discussed this issue in the cabinet meeting. The central government was constantly monitoring the situation in Manipur. The Home Minister was keeping a check on the situation, which was changing frequently. The situation was gradually calming down. The Prime Minister had also expressed concern over the incidents taking place in Manipur. The former governor further said, ‘The situation in Manipur is largely under control. I met many people from both communities in the relief camps.’
Is the Centre running the Manipur government from behind?
Responding to this question, he/she said, ‘There is coordination between the Centre and the state. I also held meetings with the CM, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other top officials. We discussed issues on future events, difficulties faced by people living in relief camps. We also developed houses and provided accommodation to people affected by the violence. he/she said that the Centre provided ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 7 lakh and Rs 5 lakh to the victims.’
‘CM did not take some decisions due to which…’
On the question of whether the Centre was interfering in the affairs of Manipur, the former governor said, “It is a matter of conflict between two communities. This is not a political issue. Leaders of all political parties met me, I told them that violence is not political, I urged them to persuade the community members to ensure peace.” On the demand for the removal of Chief Minister Biren Singh, Uikey said that the CM did not take some decisions which could have brought about a change in the violence-hit state.
