In the Lok Sabha, Congress Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi on Saturday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “two years delay” in visiting Manipur affected by ethnic violence. He claimed that the Prime Minister’s visit is more focused on his image than the ground reality of the state.
Gogoi said that when ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023, Modi’s visit should have been the first step towards restoration of peace in the state. In Manipur, at least 260 people have died and thousands of people have died in ethnic violence between Meeti and Cookie-communities. The opposition parties were constantly criticizing the Prime Minister for not visiting the state.
Gogoi said in a post on ‘X’, “Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Manipur two years ago should have been the first step in the journey to restore peace in the state and improve the situation.”
He wrote, “Now after a delay of two years, his journey should be mainly to respect the feelings of the Northeast. But, the stance is absolutely insensitive and the journey focuses on the image of the Prime Minister rather than the ground reality.”
Modi met the internal displaced people in both places during his visit to Infal, which was called a stronghold of Cookie-Bahul Chudachandpur and Meeti community. He also addressed public meetings in both cities and announced projects worth Rs 8,500 crore for the state.