Imphal: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state as “beyond redemption.”
The inauguration and laying of foundation stones for projects is welcoming, his silence on the core issues of peace and rehabilitation was a major disappointment, the Manipur PCC said.
Congress Legislative Party leader and former chief minister Okram Ibobi told reporters at his Imphal residence that Modi’s visit failed to respect the people’s verdict on restoring peace in the strife-torn state.
He said the people have been waiting for the Prime Minister with the hope of restoring peace. People were left with a question why he failed to make any statement on the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons or on ensuring free movement along the highways.
On the inauguration of 17 projects worth around Rs 1,200 crore at Kangla, Ibobi pointed out that nearly 70 to 80 per cent of the work had already been completed during the tenure of the Congress governments at both the Centre and the state. He argued that these projects were part of the long-pending capitol project initiated under Congress rule.
Lok Sabha Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam likened Manipur’s economy after the crisis to “an individual suffering in ICU.” He said the Prime Minister should have announced a financial package for the restoration of the displaced persons.
“If his intention in visiting Manipur was to bring peace, then he should have held meetings with stakeholders, legislators, and other leaders. His visit should not have been rushed, especially when it was only officially confirmed in the last 24 hours,” Bimol said.
Manipur government announced the Prime Minister’s visit on Friday.
The MP said, “A Prime Minister who is unable to announce his visit to a crisis-hit Manipur is a big insult to the people of the state. His visit shows that he has never acknowledged the crisis nor the loss of people’s lives.”
