“We will not allow Manipur to break apart”, says Amit Shah in Imphal

Imphal: Union Home Minister Amit Shah in his whirlwind election campaigns for the BJP candidate at the historic Palace compound, Imphal East on Monday reassured that nobody can divide the state of Manipur.

“We will not allow Manipur to break apart,” Shah gave reassurance to the people while speaking as a superstar campaigner for the BJP candidate Thounaojam Basantakumar in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency elections slated on April 19.

His assurance came at a time when several Kuki-Zo communities under its various organizations and platforms are demanding the creation of a Kukiland to be carved out from Manipur fighting for their campaigns against the Meiteis, for the past 11 months losing the lives of over 222 individuals.

Interestingly, the election campaigns in Manipur are based on the ethnic line, especially for the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat reserved for the Scheduled tribes where the four candidates — Congress, Naga People's Front, and two independents are in the battle of ballots. These candidates belonged to the Naga communities whereas the Kuki tribals are not putting up their candidates for the Manipur LS seat reserved for ST.

Speaking on the occasion, Shah called the people to cast their votes in favor of the BJP candidate and its allied partner Naga People’s Front candidate Timothy Zimik who is in the multi-cornered contest in the Manipur Outer seat.

Interestingly, while the national BJP leader was on the whirlwind election tours in Imphal there were reports of firing guns between the alleged Kuki militants and Meitie village volunteers at Esingchaibi village located in the interdistricts of Thoubal and Tengnoupal district on Monday.

The fighting is continuing at the time of filing this report.