Dibrugarh, 1 July (MTNews): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed confidence that the situation in neighboring Manipur would witness significant improvement within the next 7-10 days. Sarma highlighted the collaborative efforts of the state and central governments, working diligently and ‘silently’ to restore peace in the troubled region.
Slamming the Congress, he said it is “crying” when relative peace has been established in the northeastern state, but was silent during the peak of the ethnic conflict. More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur since violence first started on 3 May.
Speaking to reporters at a program, Sarma, who is also the convenor of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), stated, “The situation in Manipur is improving day by day. I firmly believe that in the next one week to 10 days, we will witness further improvement.” Sarma claimed there has been a lot of improvement in the neighboring state in the last month.
“Silently, the Manipur government and the Union home ministry are working. You can see what was the level of violence a month ago and what it is today,” he said, adding, “I can tell you with guarantee that there has been a vast improvement in the situation.”
Catholic Church Leaders in Kerala condemn Modi Govt for Manipur violence
Meanwhile, The Wire reported that Catholic Church leaders in Kerala have criticised the Modi government for the ongoing violence in Manipur, with a bishop alleging that it is an act of ‘genocide sponsored by the government’.
According to The News Minute, Joseph Pumplany, Archbishop of Thalassery diocese, had earlier referred tp the Manipur violence as ‘a clash between two tribes’ however, he now alleges that the violence is sponsored by the government.
“Initially, it began as violence between two tribes and we thought it would end soon. But it was slowly revealed to us that, in the name of a conflcit between tribes, there were planned, intentional efforts to destroy Christians. Now the Christians within both communities are being targeted,” TNM quoted the Archbishop.
Meanwhile Jacob G. Palackapilly, the official spokesperson of Kerala Catholic Bishop Council said that Narendra Modi is a man with double standards.
“In Manipur and in Karnataka, when BJP came to power, Christian institutions were attacked. Though Indian Media is silent about it, the international media is talking about it. When Christians and Muslims are attacked here others don’t feel secure. Small communities can be attacked anytime. Because India has a fascist government,” Palackapilly was quoted by the news outlet.
Meanwhile, a priest from Thalassery said that what is happening in Manipur is “really a genocide”.